Knee decisions — 2013

The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's current osteoarthritis conditions to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma and granted service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of increased ratings for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L3-4 and PTSD. The remaining issue of an increased rating for left knee arthritis with a history of patellofemoral pain syndrome is dismissed.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a cold injury to his right leg, which he claims occurred during service. The Board has determined that further medical examination and opinion are needed to address the nature and etiology of any such disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including post-operative residuals and a unicompartmental knee replacement, has been rated at 60 percent since February 24, 2011. The appeal is granted for this rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination to address the etiology of his bilateral knee and back disorders. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee was found to approximate a severe impairment, warranting a 30 percent disability rating prior to March 15, 2012.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was granted a rating of 40 percent effective May 17, 2012.,The RO denied the Veteran's claims for right eye uveitis and left knee disability prior to December 3, 1996.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of the medical record, particularly for tinnitus. The Veteran's left and right knee disorders are also on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right elbow status post open reduction internal fixation with mild arthritis were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.