Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset in active service and is not otherwise the result of a disease or injury in qualifying service. The claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities was also denied as there is no evidence showing it had its onset during service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent under DC 5260, which discusses limitations of flexion of the knee joint. The Veteran has testified that her primary problems with her left knee are swelling, stiffness, and pain, particularly during activities such as walking, standing, running, squatting, climbing stairs, and lifting weight.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the right knee, thigh, and buttocks have been granted initial compensable ratings. Service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine has also been established.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disorder and obtain any outstanding medical records. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to identify any relevant healthcare providers who have treated him.

The Veteran's combined rating for service connected disabilities was sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU as of May 14, 2010. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions and granted them as new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability has been reopened, but service connection is not granted. The left knee disability remains at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle and foot arthritis, left ankle tendonitis, and left knee arthritis. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be the result of injuries sustained while playing soccer during his active military service.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is considered to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with ED.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a head injury was denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service head injury. The claims for right shoulder and knee disabilities are pending, with the need for additional VA examination to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to evaluate the severity of his service-connected degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the reduction of his evaluation for his service-connected right knee condition from 20 percent to 10 percent effective September 1, 2012.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, or low back disorder related to service. The Veteran's current bilateral ankle disorders are not considered service-connected.,Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability. The Veteran is requested to provide copies of any outstanding medical records, including those from Dr. B. K., for consideration in the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and an inadequate expert medical opinion.