Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including arthropathy, strain and osteoarthritis, are related to service. The Veteran also has a current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.,Prior to July 13, 2016, the Veteran had Level IV hearing acuity in both ears, warranting a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service trauma sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA social and industrial survey to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C, bilateral shoulder disability (arthritis), and bilateral knee disability (arthritis) are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active service.,Regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right shoulder condition and service connection for bilateral knee disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating or service connection based on secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spouse requires regular aid and attendance due to physical incapacity resulting from multiple service-connected disabilities, which meets the criteria for increased compensation based on the need of the Veteran's spouse for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the underlying claims remain denied.,Effective November 4, 2013, the Veteran is now entitled to compensation for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which included PTSD, CAD, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. The TDIU rating is granted effective from May 12, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and joint pain, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries. The claims for higher ratings for back and right ankle disabilities have been remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and ankle disabilities are not related to his military service, specifically noting a lack of documented treatment despite reported symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and DJD of the left knee prior to July 11, 2013 were not service-connected or found to warrant a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's right knee disability and his active duty service, including any in-service injury. The claim was denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's low back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service. His status-post spontaneous pneumothorax is rated at 10%.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, but denied these claims on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his entitlement to increased ratings and service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, and neck disorders.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left knee disability, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected right knee ligament reconstruction and meniscectomy. He also requests a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and address the issues of service connection and the temporary total evaluation.