Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability had its onset during service and is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a right knee disability cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a pending claim prior to January 31, 2006.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and potential need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, and entitlement to an extension of a temporary total rating beyond June 1, 2009, are also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral shoulders and joints, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a 10 percent rating for his leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been denied as he is not shown to be unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disorder and cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not etiologically related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gouty arthritis of the bilateral feet and joint disabilities of the bilateral ankles, knees, and elbows are related to his in-service anthrax vaccinations. As a result, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and determine the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability, as well as its impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 25, 2008 at Memorial Hospital were not authorized by VA and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under applicable laws.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected residuals, left knee injury with ACL tear postoperative did not meet or approximate the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent under any applicable rating code. The preponderance of evidence is against a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by a meniscal tear and degenerative joint disease, had not improved under ordinary conditions of life to warrant reducing his evaluation from 20 percent to 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hypertension, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.