Knee decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his current address and the need for a travel board hearing at the Atlanta RO.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral knee, right shoulder, and right hip disabilities. The evidence now shows that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's current left knee osteoarthritis is related to his military service, and the Board finds that the evidence in favor of the claim is at least in equipoise with that against it. As such, the benefit of the doubt must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee enthesopathy is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and his in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling since March 1, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee was remanded by the Board. The case is being returned to the RO for further action, including additional development and a new VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his military service and denies the claim.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent for his service-connected disabilities meets the criteria for a TDIU, as he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, as there is no medical evidence linking it to his active duty or any service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and a right medial meniscus tear, as well as generalized arthritis (not limited to ankles and knees) and hypertension. The Veteran's current disabilities were not shown to be incurred during his periods of active military service.,Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need to obtain additional VA medical records. The Board will also request an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 10% for his left knee disability, effective since October 1, 2010, when he underwent successful surgery to repair his torn ACL and meniscus. The decision also addresses the issue of TDIU based on service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle and foot disorder. The claim of secondary service connection for a left hip and knee disorders is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability has been reopened and granted. The right knee disability issue remains pending as it requires further development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left knee and ankle is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and treatment records.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to address the issue of whether the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and to obtain an appropriate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete service treatment records, requiring further development including obtaining additional medical opinions.