Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 100%, meeting the percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, the weight of medical opinion and other evidence indicates that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle and bilateral knee osteoarthritis were not incurred or aggravated during his National Guard service, and thus denied the claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder did not have its onset during his active military service and is not related to any period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. Therefore, service connection for a right knee disorder was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability before May 7, 2004 was denied as there is no credible evidence showing he could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional left knee disability as a result of VA medical treatment involving two total knee arthroplasty surgeries in April 2005 and February 2007. The case has been remanded to obtain additional records, conduct an examination, and determine if the Veteran's current condition is related to the VA treatment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various knee, foot, and elbow conditions have been granted.,However, the initial evaluations assigned are less than what was requested in some cases.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The initial disability ratings for her service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as the scar from her cesarean section, remain at noncompensable levels.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated based on arthritis, but not for instability. The claims for increased ratings are denied as the evidence does not show that the current disability levels meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran claims his cervicothoracic spine disability is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the nature and severity of his left knee impairment at the time of the motor vehicle accident.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and assigned a 20 percent disability rating effective from June 21, 2002.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, hip, and low back disorders. The Board finds that further development is necessary to determine the nature of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The appeal is not yet decided on its merits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, PTSD, and a left knee disorder due to issues regarding evidence corroborating the Veteran's claimed stressors in Vietnam. The petitions to reopen the claims for skin disorder and calluses on the feet are also being remanded to obtain VA medical records from specific facilities.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a current right knee disability related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an eye disorder, and it is now considered. The bilateral blepharitis is found to be due to disease or injury that was incurred in active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is granted. It is found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, and it is now considered. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is shown to be linked events that as likely as not happened during his period of active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is granted. It is found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a sleep disorder.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a disability manifested by multiple joint pains, and it is now considered. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is shown to be linked events that as likely as not happened during his period of active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is granted. It is found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, and it is now considered. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is shown to be linked events that as likely as not happened during his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with right radiculopathy, chondromalacia of the right knee, recurrent peptic ulcer disease, incomplete paralysis of the right sciatic nerve associated with the lumbar spine disability, and hemorrhoids. The case is remanded for an appropriate VA examination to determine the effects of all service-connected disabilities on his ability to maintain and retain employment, as well as for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b).

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran did not experience chronic symptoms of a right knee disorder in service and has not experienced continuous symptoms since service. The initial rating for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral leg disabilities are not service-connected. The Board finds no evidence of a current bilateral hip disability.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the service-connected low back disability and found that the Veteran's bilateral knee and foot conditions are not related to her active service. The effective date of this decision is March 26, 2007.