Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and his service-connected pes planus, as well as whether any current knee disorders are related to his period of service.

The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, and the Veteran's right knee disability is currently evaluated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation and developing a dose estimate based on possible radiation exposure during service. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by DJD and instability, is currently rated at 20 percent for the DJD component and 10 percent for the instability component. The Board has determined that neither condition warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied because he did not meet the threshold percentage requirements under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and his case was referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration on an extra-schedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b). The Director determined that a TDIU is not warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected gunshot wounds did not cause or contribute to his death from sepsis due to a urinary tract infection. The medical evidence does not support the Appellant's claims of hepatitis and PTSD.

The Board found no evidence of a cold injury to the bilateral lower extremities during service, and denied claims for these conditions.,For the right knee disorder, the Board concluded that there is no direct link between the current condition and service. The Veteran's first reported symptoms were in 1992.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records and a new VA examination to determine whether he has any neurological residuals related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased evaluation for residuals of left knee injury was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective February 17, 2010. The appeal regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is considered 'unknown' as it does not pertain to the current decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for tricuspid regurgitation, removal of gallbladder, genitourinary disorder, and right hip disorder will be addressed in separate decisions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability, a right knee and leg disability (claimed as arthritis), a skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The issues are about service connection for these conditions, but the nature of the appeal is unclear due to missing or incomplete records.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed left hip disorder, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, fibromyalgia, neck disorder, low back disorder, or right knee disorder.,Service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection for various shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent evaluation, the maximum authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds that there is no legal basis for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA clinical records and inadequate examination opinions. The case is now pending with instructions to obtain additional records and provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the May 2010 VA examination, and a new opinion is required from the examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of bilateral knees and an increased rating for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's left knee replacement residuals have not been productive of chronic severely painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity, flexion limited to 45 degrees, extension limited to 10 degrees, any subluxation or lateral instability, ankylosis, malunion of the tibia and fibula, dislocated semilunar cartilage, or locking of the knee. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent for left total knee replacement from August 1, 2011 is not warranted.