Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing at the nearest VA facility to her current residence in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as of July 14, 2009. His combined disability rating is 80 percent with consideration of the bilateral factor.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection claims related to the residuals of left hip and knee traumas, including as secondary to vascular headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has not found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot fungus condition, or leg length discrepancy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied because there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to his active duty. The claim for reopening of a back disability was also denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Board has determined that there is no competent, credible evidence linking the Veteran's current right knee disability to her service. As such, she does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his service or his service-connected low back disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to issues with notification and assistance.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his right knee disability was incurred or aggravated during active service, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, which would warrant a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261. Factors warranting TDIU on an extraschedular basis were also not present.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on the issues of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder injury, left knee injury, and residuals of fractured right thumb.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, left wrist burn scar, digestive disorder, sleep disorder, and ED as secondary to hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions, regarding his claims of service connection for bilateral foot, knee, and hand disorders.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for the regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to outdated treatment records, potential changes in his condition since previous examinations, and the need for updated VA medical evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a heart disorder, hypertension, or other claimed conditions during service or within one year post-service. Service connection was not granted for any condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have left ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. His COPD and coronary artery disease were not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an adequate opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by limitation of flexion to 45 degrees with pain on motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent as his disability is not productive of more severe limitations such as limitation to less than 30 degrees.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his combined rating is 60 percent and he has other non-service-connected disabilities that prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.