Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for a service-connected left knee disability, prior to October 1, 2011, and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for a service-connected left knee disability, as of October 1, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. The claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection, reflecting noncompensable limitation of motion. The current examination findings do not support a higher rating based on additional functional impairment due to pain or other factors.

The Board found that the appellant's left knee disorder did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is unrelated to any period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The appellant's service-connected lumbar spine disorder did not cause or aggravate his left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee conditions and a right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and clarify the opinion provided by the VA examiner regarding whether his preexisting right knee disability was aggravated by service.

The appellant's non-service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine and right knee pain, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total rating for non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to determine the severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus and whether any claimed conditions are secondary to that disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, tendonitis of the knees, and ankle disabilities due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions and claims, including those related to his knee replacements, ankle disorders, carotid stenosis, and right leg wounds. The appeals were addressed in the context of rating decisions and effective dates.

The Board has determined that service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee on a direct basis and/or as secondary to the service-connected residuals of a left total knee replacement is granted, with application of the doctrine of reasonable doubt.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and needs further examination of the Veteran's knee disabilities. The issues are whether service connection should be granted for right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability but is unable to determine if he is entitled to service connection for his bilateral knee disability due to insufficient evidence. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability remains unresolved.

The Board has granted increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, effusion and instability of the left knee, and limitation of extension of the left knee. The Veteran's disabilities are rated at the highest available rating under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for hearing loss, left knee disorder, tinnitus, and left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder. The claims for right and left knee disorders remain pending as their disposition is currently unknown.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for the requested higher disability ratings or service connection.