Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen her claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and a left knee disability. She is also granted service connection for bilateral pes planus on an aggravation basis and for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral knee arthritis as the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death, and to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a nexus opinion and any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability including osteoarthritis and meniscus impairment. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of arthritis or erectile dysfunction in service, and the current conditions are not related to service. The Veteran's arthritis was found to be more likely due to age-related changes rather than a service-connected injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a present hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability, right knee degenerative joint disease, hiatal hernia and GERD, and right eye retinal detachment did not have onset in service or were not caused by his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The case is being remanded to consider an extraschedular TDIU based on the Veteran's unemployability due to PTSD.

The Veteran is rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder, bilateral knee disability, or bilateral ankle disability. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has recharacterized the Veteran's claim for service connection for 'bi-polar disorder and PTSD' as one for entitlement to service connection for PTSD and one for entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a VA medical opinion. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to clarify the etiology of his claimed skin disability and left knee disability, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including a VA examination to assess the severity and etiology of his neck disability and right knee condition. Additionally, an increased rating for PTSD will be considered.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking a rating in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (mixed anxiety depressive disorder).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in previous rating decisions. The case is now before the AOJ to determine if service connection should be severed for DJD of each knee effective from June 23, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, and PTSD. The TDIU claim is also deferred until other increased rating claims may be resolved.