Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is at least 80 percent, and he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's scars of the right upper abdomen, right lower abdomen, and right lateral chest have been rated as noncompensable prior to May 2, 2014, but were combined into a single rating of 10 percent effective from that date due to painful nature. Higher ratings for these scars are also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and National Guard medical records, as well as new VA examinations to assess his thoracolumbar spine disability and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is found to have caused his coronary artery disease (CAD). The Board grants the claim for service connection for CAD.

The Veteran's left hip disability, including the period from May 8, 2013 to July 31, 2014 when a total hip arthroplasty revision surgery was performed, has been rated at 30 percent since December 21, 2010. The Board found that for the periods prior to and after this period, the disability did not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the period of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastric ulcer has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that his current gastric ulcer is related to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen any of his claims. The breathing problems claim is considered secondary to asbestos exposure, but no specific evidence has been provided. Service connection for depression and right knee disability are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, GERD, and a right knee disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of current diagnoses or chronic conditions related to these issues.,There are no medical records indicating the presence of any of these conditions during service, and post-service records do not provide sufficient evidence to establish their onset in service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on the basis that it was aggravated by service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for right knee surgery is denied as the evidence does not show severe post-operative residuals such as incompletely healed surgical wounds, stumps or recent amputations, therapeutic immobilization of one major joint, application of a body cast, the necessity for house confinement, or the necessity for continued use of a wheelchair or crutches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition is not related to her military service.,There is no evidence of a current right knee disability, and any current complaints are more likely due to recent accidents.

The Veteran's right knee patella femoral syndrome and subluxation have not met the criteria for a higher rating from March 15, 2011.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service respiratory injury or disease.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,There is at least equipoise evidence that the Veteran's tinnitus was caused by his active duty service.

The Veteran's left knee traumatic arthritis was rated at 40 percent prior to July 16, 2014.,Since July 16, 2014, the Veteran's status post total left knee replacement has been rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he did not complete and return the required VA Form 21-8940, which is necessary to substantiate his claim of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran has not provided sufficient information regarding his employment history.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, back disorder, and right knee disorder have been granted service connection. The psychiatric disorder has not been found to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for diabetes mellitus, left foot disability, and sinus disability have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for these conditions.