Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of residuals of a left knee injury, and the Board has dismissed the issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, which necessitates assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and managing medications.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are related to his military service. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and conducting a thorough orthopedic examination of the left and right knees to assess range of motion and any instability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection and special monthly compensation based upon the need for aid and attendance. The Veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case after any necessary examinations are completed.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to November 13, 2014, is manifested by painful motion and severe subluxation. The Board has granted a separate 30 percent evaluation for the right knee subluxation.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for her left knee disability was granted, with a current evaluation of 10 percent for limitation of flexion and a separate 20 percent rating for recurrent subluxation as of December 14, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned for left knee degenerative joint disease and torn medial meniscus with slight instability. The right knee condition remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen her claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and a left knee disability. She is also granted service connection for bilateral pes planus on an aggravation basis and for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral knee arthritis as the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death, and to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a nexus opinion and any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability including osteoarthritis and meniscus impairment. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of arthritis or erectile dysfunction in service, and the current conditions are not related to service. The Veteran's arthritis was found to be more likely due to age-related changes rather than a service-connected injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a present hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability, right knee degenerative joint disease, hiatal hernia and GERD, and right eye retinal detachment did not have onset in service or were not caused by his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The case is being remanded to consider an extraschedular TDIU based on the Veteran's unemployability due to PTSD.

The Veteran is rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.