Knee decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that further development is needed due to insufficient evidence to decide the claims under the applicable theories of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted. However, his requests for initial compensable evaluations for these conditions were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability attributable to an in-service left knee injury and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the reduction in the evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected right knee injury with patellofemoral syndrome from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper based on evidence showing sustained improvement.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a right knee disorder due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including his right and left total knee replacements and an acquired psychiatric disorder, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether referral for extraschedular TDIU benefits is warranted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as they did not become manifest in service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical center records. The case will be reconsidered after the additional evidence has been considered.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent ratings for knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee arthritis prior to February 20, 2010.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, but his bilateral heel spurs, knee disorder, hip disorder, and low back disorder are found to be secondary to these service-connected ankle disabilities. The claims for higher initial ratings for the ankle disabilities remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, conduct further development, and adjudicate the claims for increased ratings for postoperative internal derangement of the right knee and arthritis associated with it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased ratings for total knee replacement with associated scars, and a higher rating for right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the record, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical records from September 2012. The Veteran's appeal is now pending with the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest until after service and is not related to his military service, including any injuries or exposures. The Board also determined that the disability was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left fibula.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for left eye, low back, bilateral foot, and left knee disorders. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his previously denied service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for benign hypertrophy of the prostate was denied as there is no evidence that it had its clinical onset in service or is otherwise related to active duty. The Board found that VA has discharged its duty to assist the Veteran in obtaining evidence necessary to substantiate his claim.

The Veteran's prostate disorder is not service connected as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board finds that further examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his kidney stones, bilateral knee, neck, and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is competent and credible in his report of exposure to acoustic trauma during service, experiencing bilateral constant tinnitus during service, and having experienced continuous symptoms of tinnitus since service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.