Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of her claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to adjudication of the claims. The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, left shoulder disorder, IBS, chronic headaches, depression, bilateral knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome are REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and considering all evidence added to the claims file since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further medical clarification regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for headaches, a generalized bone/joint disorder including arthritis and strains of multiple joints, a left knee disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder (pes planus) have been rendered moot due to the grant of service connection in May 2012. The appellant's claims are denied as there is no evidence linking her current conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required before a decision can be made on the Veteran's TDIU claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess her ability to secure gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability related to his service-connected left knee sprain. The claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, left knee disability, and left ankle disability have been granted. The Veteran is now receiving the appropriate ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's internal derangement of both knees warrants a rating no higher than the current 20 percent for the right knee and 30 percent for the left knee, as these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the service-connected right knee patella fracture with arthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 26, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected total left knee arthroplasty is rated at 60 percent effective November 5, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral foot disorder, right knee disability, and bilateral hip disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner to address specific instructions laid out by the Board.