Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, back, hip, and knee disabilities are not service-connected. The bilateral hearing loss is granted as secondary to service due to acoustic trauma. The respiratory disorder (COPD) is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and erectile dysfunction (ED) are not related to his service-connected disabilities.,Specifically, there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current conditions.

The Board has received notification from the appellant that they wish to withdraw all issues on appeal, including their request for a hearing. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including post-prosthetic replacement, is rated at 60 percent from September 1, 2013. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for the period prior to July 5, 2012.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 60 percent for his left knee disability from June 1, 2016. However, the Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability is found to have its onset during active service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a total right knee arthroplasty performed in January 1998 at the Cincinnati VAMC, and is now remanding the case for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, dysthymic disorder, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood), drug and alcohol abuse, and sleep disorder were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.,Service connection could not be established as the Veteran's personality disorder is not a disease or injury within the meaning of applicable legislation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence and a thorough review of the Veteran's history.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left knee disabilities need further review, as a hearing is required before another Veterans Law Judge can make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, back disability, and left ear hearing loss are not attributable to his active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, effective as of April 30, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right foot plantar fasciitis, left knee degenerative arthritis with subluxation, and right knee degenerative arthritis with subluxation due to incomplete examination reports. The claims are now before the Board for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports her claim of in-service injury and current symptoms.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability due to a meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 40 percent for limitation of extension since March 2, 2016. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and right knee disability are pending. The Board has determined that the evidence does not establish a current disability for any of these conditions as defined by VA standards.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that it had its onset in service. The Veteran's other claims seeking increased ratings are remanded due to incomplete records.