Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable rating were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher than 10 percent rating for DJD of the right knee, an initial compensable rating for postoperative scar of the right knee from June 26, 2003 to June 27, 2004, and a higher than 10 percent rating for postoperative scar of the right knee since June 28, 2004.

The Veteran's left leg, knee, and hip pain were not caused by his November 2002 hydrocelectomy. The Board finds the opinion of the May 2012 VA examiner to be more probative than that of the March 2003 emergency room physician.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability related to service or any incident therein, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were rated at 30 percent prior to the April 2005 examination. After a review of his symptoms, including severe pain and weakness, the VA determined that he should be granted increased evaluations of 60 percent for each knee disability from February 1, 2005 until December 3, 2006.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The left knee condition is not addressed as it does not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the current disability and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration, including obtaining service personnel records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues on appeal are whether he is entitled to a temporary total rating based upon convalescence from March 2008 cervical spine surgery, and whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, chronic mild low back pain, and skin cancer of the face, right ear, and arms (to include as due to exposure to chemical dioxins). The appeals are based on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed left knee and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not ready for decision and have been remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as her disabilities do not render her so helpless.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The case is REMANDED for an addendum opinion considering a recently submitted VA MEPSS document indicating an increased risk of arthritis among veterans with cold injuries.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 20% to 10% for his service-connected right knee chondromalacia with DJD was proper due to actual improvement in the overall disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bilateral knee disorder, chronic bilateral ankle disorder, chronic respiratory disorder, and a chronic disability manifested by fevers, all claimed as resulting from an undiagnosed illness. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining opinions regarding potential service connection under certain circumstances.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and adjudication, including scheduling a hearing before a traveling Veterans Law Judge at the RO located in Togus, Maine.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder and chronic renal insufficiency, which are claimed as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities of the right and left knees, as well as his thigh and leg injuries. The maximum schedular rating assignable for each condition was 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral foot and knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with no additional functional loss due to pain or other factors. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.