Knee decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the appellant's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral shoulder disability. The claims are now considered on their merits.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to fully and fairly assess the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and clarifying his hearing preference.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, release of records, and clarification on certain aspects of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for left foot dysesthesia and increased ratings for his left knee disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of service connection or secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities, foot disability, hearing loss, and eye disability. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right ankle condition, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a final decision can be rendered with respect to the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left leg/knee disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain SSA records, ensure VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees are rated at 10% each, effective June 1, 2009. The claims for higher ratings are denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and ensure all relevant records are associated with the claims file. The Veteran's left knee condition, including its relationship to his service-connected right knee conditions, will be reviewed in detail.

The Veteran's request for an extension of his temporary total convalescent rating for his right knee disability was granted. His claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied, and the Board found new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied skin disorder claim.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for left knee instability and arthritis, effective May 24, 2007. The effective date remains October 5, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's right knee disability, considering flare-ups and limitations caused by such. The appeal is now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by instability and limited extension/flexion, has been rated at 20 percent since August 4, 2005. The current rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder to the RO for additional action due to an undeliverable address.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to his service or his service-connected pes planus, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for PTSD and service connection for right knee osteoarthritis. The rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent effective April 7, 2010, but the issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for spine disorder and left knee disorder remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the right and left knees is currently rated at 20 percent each, effective from April 11, 2012. The VA has determined that both knees have a limitation of flexion to 30 degrees, warranting these ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration of his claims, including the severity of his right knee disability and whether his left knee disorder is secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond November 31, 2007 for his right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.