Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination and treatment records, and assessing the impact of his service-connected knee disabilities on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disability is not related to service, and denied his claim. The right knee disability claim requires additional development as per the instructions provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature, extent and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. Specifically, VA examinations are required for his left knee, right knee, low back, and skin conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder will be reconsidered after these steps.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosed bilateral knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed bilateral knee and ankle disorders, specifically whether they are related to service. Additional development is needed including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing. He has requested rescheduling and the motion is granted.

The Veteran's right knee injury was denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to September 20, 2011 and granted a 20% rating as of that date. The Veteran's scleroderma with rheumatoid arthritis was initially denied but later granted a 60% rating effective September 23, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right hip and left knee were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, claimed as secondary to service-connected left knee strain, is no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of a left knee injury and patellofemoral degenerative changes of the right knee are rated at their maximum levels, with no additional disability ratings granted. The Veteran is not found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examination reports and Social Security Administration records to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back sprain and low back scar.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA medical evaluation to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his left knee and right knee service connection claims, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the left knee claim and concluding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a right knee disorder in service or secondary to a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his back disability and joint condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear information regarding Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric condition, right knee disability, and TDIU claim will also be reassessed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and circulatory problem of the right foot as secondary to his service-connected right great toe disability. The evidence submitted since the previous denial does not provide new or material evidence to support these claims.