Knee decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder (flat warts), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is also granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for the claimed bilateral knee, bilateral foot, or low back conditions. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosed disabilities related to these conditions during his military service. Post-service examination and medical records also fail to establish such diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the legal criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability as his combined percentage of disability does not reach 70% or more, and he is still employed.

The case is being remanded for additional medical inquiry and to obtain VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, increased ratings for knee disorders, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a hearing and further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination records and a need for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome and arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. A separate evaluation for arthritis of the right knee is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left knee sprain/strain, based on instability and limitation of flexion, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee arthritis is not related to his military service, but rather to post-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether his left knee condition was aggravated by a service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's increased disability rating claim for left knee disability was denied, and his service connection claims were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation or service connection based on secondary to conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities and a right knee disability, have been denied. The Veteran does not have diagnosed disabilities that warrant an increased evaluation for recurrent tinnitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right leg, back, and left foot disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service. The claim for right knee disability is also denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a torn ACL and symptomatic lateral meniscus tear with DJD, has been rated at 10 percent since August 29, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and hip disabilities have been evaluated as separate conditions, with the right knee rated at 10 percent and the left knee also rated at 10 percent. The bursitis of the left hip is rated at 10 percent. No higher ratings are warranted for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a nexus opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his service-connected scoliosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle Achilles enthesophytes, as well as degenerative joint disease of the knees, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection for tinnitus.