Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss disability of the right ear and an initial compensable rating for hearing loss disability of the left ear, have been denied. The Veteran has not presented evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, are not of such severity to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected chondromalacia patella of both knees. The AOJ will then consider the claims based on all available evidence and legal authority.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his right knee conditions prior to November 17, 2014 or after December 17, 2015. Service connection for a right shoulder condition was also denied as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability based on receipt of new and material evidence. However, further development is needed to determine if there is a relationship between his current left knee disability and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot, knee, hip, and COPD disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active service or within one year of discharge. The preexisting pes planus was not aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between any current disability and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examination and consideration of newly submitted private treatment records. The Veteran's right knee disability is being evaluated based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee with meniscectomy residuals and status post right knee replacement is denied. The current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left knee condition during service or for years thereafter, and the medical opinion did not support a link between current left knee impairment and service. As such, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and granted service connection for left knee arthritis at 10 percent. The issue of cause of death was referred to the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's scrotal/groin disorder, left knee disorder, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and jaw disorder. The conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right hand injury, right knee disability, and bilateral hip conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD and bilateral flat feet, as well as his claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, were denied by the Board. The appeals are now remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing at the RO via videoconference. The issues of reopening his claim and establishing service connection for low back/spinal disorder, lumbar radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disorders are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is related to his active service, granting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right-hip, left-hip, right-knee, and left-knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, including any in-service injuries. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee patellofemoral arthrosis is at least as likely as not caused by his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and left knee disorder are not service-connected as they are related to his congenital condition (multiple epiphyseal dysplasia), which is not considered an injury for VA compensation purposes. The right knee disability did not aggravate these conditions.