Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for hearing loss of the right ear and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hearing loss, and there was no indication that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented him from obtaining or maintaining employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Voc-Rehab records and an examination to assess his occupational impairment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee replacement, shoulder arthritis, major depressive disorder, and a healed perforation of the tympanic membrane, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations and cognitive impairments.

The Board has determined that the case is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with a claim for service connection for a left leg disorder.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary due to the passage of time and the Veteran's allegation of worsening symptoms, and additional development in terms of obtaining updated VA treatment records is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for scheduling another hearing.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence does not establish an in-service injury or disease and no current disability. The Veteran's claim is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and additional medical records. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability will be reconsidered.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not proximately due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of service connection for a left knee condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5257. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted, and a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion from May 20, 2009, to June 13, 2014 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and initial disability ratings in excess of 60 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease status post total knee replacement, finding no evidence to support a nexus between his current disabilities and his active military service. The Veteran's scars were also not found to warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the character of the Veteran's discharge from service is not a bar to receiving VA benefits, and thus he qualifies as a 'veteran' for purposes of VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, diabetes mellitus, and eye disability are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left forearm conditions, as well as an increased rating for the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran now receives a 10 percent evaluation for his left knee condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death, and that the medication he was taking for these conditions did not play a significant role in causing his kidney failure.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle strain, degenerative joint disease with meniscal tear of the right knee, right hip strain, and facet arthrosis at L5-S1 of the lumbar spine are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right foot plantar wart/callus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, cervical spine, and left knee disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not show chronic or continuous symptoms of these conditions during active duty or within one year after separation from service.