Knee decisions — 2012

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities have met the schedular criteria for TDIU throughout the pendency of this appeal, and therefore grants entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability was denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had limited range of motion in his right knee, but no other significant findings.

The Board found no current disabilities related to the Veteran's in-service injuries and denied his service connection claims for left thumb disability, right knee disability, and right leg neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO due to the Veterans Law Judge conducting his previous hearing no longer being available.

The Veteran's mitral valve stenosis and borderline left ventricular hypertrophy were incurred during active service.,Bilateral osteoarthritis of the hips, with left hip avascular necrosis, is proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and adjudicating his claim of service connection for hypertension. He also needs to undergo a medical opinion regarding the likely etiology of his current end stage renal disease. His claims of service connection for a back disability and an increased rating for his knee disabilities are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain inpatient treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee and left ankle injuries. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, status post arthroplasty, was incurred in service and is granted service connection. The right knee osteoarthritis is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the claim, including obtaining service treatment records from 1982 and any pertinent medical evaluation board concerning the appellant's right knee from 1992. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by her active military service. The right and left knee disorders are secondary to the bilateral pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, a left knee disability, and a right knee disability. Service connection was also granted for pes planus (flat feet). An initial evaluation of 10 percent is assigned effective January 10, 2007.,The Veteran's pes planus is found to be aggravated by his service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, major depressive disorder secondary to PTSD, and adjustment disorder secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent since August 25, 2009. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted as there was no evidence of instability or subluxation and the limitation of extension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while disabling, do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of increased ratings for right knee limitation of extension and flexion, effective prior to March 21, 2012, and as of that date. The claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected left knee disability was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, which were not addressed due to their interrelation with the TDIU claim.