Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including whether they are secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 19, 2005, and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent from February 19, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure that all necessary evidence is obtained and considered in connection with the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right leg or right knee disorder present during service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service or aggravated by his flat feet, and whether any hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease of the metatarsophalangeal joints are due to flat feet. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right knee disability, are found to be so disabling that he is in need of regular aid and attendance. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remands and additional records need to be obtained. The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and right knee disability are being reviewed.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent based on limitation of motion, which more nearly approximates the criteria for this rating. The issue regarding left knee instability remains unresolved and has not been addressed with a specific evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, left shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right and left knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the appellant's current right knee disorder is at least as likely as not caused by or the result of a right knee injury during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) service in 1992.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the existence or etiology of his claimed conditions. The claim for a left knee disorder was not reopened, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) was reopened based on new evidence provided since the last final denial.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for type II diabetes mellitus and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including from SSA and private physicians. The Veteran may also be scheduled for examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Board is requesting additional VA records from Guam and will consider the claims again after receiving these records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA joints examination to determine if the Veteran's current left knee, right knee, and right ankle disorders are related to his service-connected postoperative hammertoe disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee ligament strain is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects slight instability or subluxation. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing at the local RO due to the Veteran's request. The issues of service connection for residuals of back injury, broken nose condition, unspecified eye condition, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis are on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and back disabilities are not related to his military service, including as secondary to his already service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for optic retinopathy of the right eye and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee have been granted, with effective dates of November 7, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and missed examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his military service, and thus denied all of his claims for service connection.