Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right great toe arthritis, left humerus fracture residuals, dental trauma to teeth numbers 7, 8, and 9, right hand and left hand arthritis, right ankle and left ankle arthritis, left thumb arthritis, and right and left knee arthritis. The appeal is based on the merits of these conditions without any presumption or new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability, and for additional development including obtaining medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left knee patellofemoral disease, finding that the Veteran's conditions first manifested during his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have rendered him unable to protect himself from the hazards of his daily environment, and he is in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, and thus, does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, or by reason of being permanently housebound.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his postoperative posttraumatic degenerative joint disease and right total knee replacement, has been rated as 10 percent disabling prior to January 1, 2009, and as 30 percent thereafter with a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The increased ratings are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disability has been dismissed due to his failure to respond to requests for evidence/releases for critical evidence within one year of the request.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his active military service or events therein, and there is no evidence of compensably disabling arthritis within one year following discharge from active service. As such, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to February 7, 2009. The decision also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, but the right knee disorder remains in a 'mixed' status due to conflicting opinions on its etiology. The claim is remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, a right shoulder disorder, and a left knee disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to exposure to acoustic trauma during his active duty service. The claims for tinnitus, low back disability, and bilateral knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical opinions.

The Director of the Compensation and Pension Service determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to work, thus denying his claim for a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are related to his active military service and grants entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee, left shoulder, and hearing loss disabilities. The case will be readjudicated based on this new evidence.

The Board has ordered additional development to gather medical records and conduct examinations for the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury due to shrapnel wound has been granted. The left knee and right knee disability claims are pending as further examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. A VA examination by a psychiatrist will also be conducted to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.