Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to his military service, and therefore, he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and low back injury, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his meniscectomy and arthritis, resulted in a 20% rating for limitation of extension since October 20, 2010. The residuals of the meniscectomy were rated at 20%, while the arthritis was not separately rated as it is considered part of the same disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee disability, low back disability, left hip bursitis, PTSD, and CAD were granted. He is now entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis in the left knee since October 2009.

The Board found no credible evidence of in-service knee injuries or disorders, and concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral knee DJD is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee DJD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to June 9, 2009 for limitation of flexion. As of June 9, 2009, the rating was increased to 30 percent for both limitation of flexion and extension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and for a stomach condition, finding that there is no credible or probative evidence of a connection between his military service and these conditions.,The Board also found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder was not related to his service-connected flat feet nor did it manifest within one year of his military service. The Board concluded that the Veteran's stomach condition is not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for traumatic arthritis and degenerative arthritis of both knees due to incomplete information or evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and to ensure the Veteran's claims are properly developed.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a right knee disorder and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's complaints of knee pain during active duty, as well as post-service treatment records, support these findings.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased rating of his right knee disability and service connection for a left knee disability. The claims are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination regarding his claimed left knee and ankle disorders.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including ganglion cyst, pseudo gout, meniscal tears, and arthrosis, was granted a 100% rating effective March 24, 2011. The rating was subsequently reduced to 30% effective May 1, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements are sufficient to place the evidence in equipoise as to whether his claimed tinnitus had its onset during service. The left knee condition claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and shoulder disorders were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of such during his military service or at his separation examination. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's right knee DJD is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum non-compensable rating. The VA examiner found no additional functional impairment due to flare-ups or repetitive use.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim of reopening the right ear hearing loss service connection was granted.,The claims for higher ratings for right ankle sprain and residuals of a left knee laceration were denied.,The claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for his left knee disability was increased to 30 percent from February 2009 until March 2010, with a previous 10 percent rating assigned from October 2008 until February 2009.

The Veteran is in receipt of compensation for disabilities as if service-connected, but no disability has been established in fact. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for basic eligibility for VA vocational rehabilitation services.