Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her knee condition, which she claims was caused by in-service activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as panic attacks and PTSD), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, low back disorder, or neck disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and records, including VA treatment records since June 2010, and new examinations for the Veteran's bilateral knee, left shoulder, low back disabilities; and insomnia (claimed as depression and anxiety).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disability, and there is no evidence of arthritis in service. The Veteran's left knee disability is also denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,There is no evidence of record to support service connection for a bilateral knee condition or headaches.

The Veteran's medical expenses at South Georgia Medical Center from May 17, 2010 to May 18, 2010 and on March 28, 2011 are granted as the treatment was deemed necessary due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the knees were withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as he was engaged in substantially gainful employment until January 9, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for rescheduling a Board hearing due to his failure to attend the previously scheduled hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, as it was aggravated in service. The issue of a right knee condition will be remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active service, nor are they related to any incident of service. The respiratory conditions have also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for costochondritis, finding that her current condition is related to active military service. The issue of whether her joint pains of the left hip and knees are secondary to her service-connected bilateral flatfoot disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee disorders are not related to his military service and have denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 1, 2008 for the award of a separate 10 percent rating for right knee arthritis with limited motion due to pain. The decision is based on medical evidence showing that arthritis was first demonstrated in an October 1, 2008 X-ray and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's left tibia osteochondroma clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for consideration of additional evidence related to his increased rating claim for left knee disability.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is not new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder. The issue of cervical spine disorder remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DJD of the left hip had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection. However, his DJD of the bilateral knees and low back disability are not related to service.