Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disability has been dismissed due to his failure to respond to requests for evidence/releases for critical evidence within one year of the request.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his active military service or events therein, and there is no evidence of compensably disabling arthritis within one year following discharge from active service. As such, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to February 7, 2009. The decision also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, but the right knee disorder remains in a 'mixed' status due to conflicting opinions on its etiology. The claim is remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, a right shoulder disorder, and a left knee disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to exposure to acoustic trauma during his active duty service. The claims for tinnitus, low back disability, and bilateral knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical opinions.

The Director of the Compensation and Pension Service determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to work, thus denying his claim for a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are related to his active military service and grants entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee, left shoulder, and hearing loss disabilities. The case will be readjudicated based on this new evidence.

The Board has ordered additional development to gather medical records and conduct examinations for the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury due to shrapnel wound has been granted. The left knee and right knee disability claims are pending as further examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. A VA examination by a psychiatrist will also be conducted to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is etiologically related to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current left knee disability and his military service, including any in-service injuries. The Veteran also needs to provide Worker's Compensation records for post-service left knee injuries.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and finds that it is not related to service. The Veteran's left knee disability, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. His left epididymitis was not found to warrant a compensable evaluation, and his bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent since March 25, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining her Social Security Administration records and conducting further examinations to address outstanding VA benefits issues.