Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right shoulder disabilities, including as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain relevant medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder, lumbar spine, and knee disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifested by no more than slight instability, and her rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints does not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran requested a hearing but failed to appear, and his representative requested rescheduling due to communication issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the current severity of his service-connected low back disability, as well as whether a bilateral hip disability and degenerative joint disease of the left knee are related to or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability. The case will also be reviewed to determine if he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease and meniscus tear have been rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not warranted based on current clinical findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is likely related to a period of Active Duty for Special Work (ADSW) in February 1991.,The Veteran's preexisting left knee degenerative arthritis is presumed to have been aggravated by service ending in November 2004.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to issues with obtaining SSA records and VA examinations, as well as other procedural matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disorder, diagnosed as chronic patellofemoral syndrome, had its onset during his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability or a disability of service origin. The Board found that the cause of death, end stage chronic COPD, was not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability can be adjudicated. This includes obtaining VA treatment records from the early 1990s and any Social Security Administration decision regarding his disability benefits.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to increased ratings for various disabilities and service connection claims. The case is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing, issuance of an SOC on the effective date issue, and other procedural steps.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back or right knee disability and there is no evidence linking these disabilities to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids and service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, bilateral knee disorder, low back disorder, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral eye disorder, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and chloracne.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, necessitating SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder was reopened and granted. The Board found that the current residuals of the total left knee replacement is due to disease or injury incurred in active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, while the right knee remains at 10 percent. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left lower extremity disability, including a femur fracture and meniscal injury in the knee, was rated 10 percent prior to July 15, 2009, and 20 percent since then. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.