Knee decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was rated at 10 percent prior to March 4, 2010. A separate rating of 10 percent for instability was granted. After a total right knee arthroplasty on March 4, 2010, the Veteran received a 60 percent rating beginning May 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including a VA examination of the left knee and readjudication of the increased rating claim. The Veteran's other claims (for sleep apnea and right knee disability) are also pending.

The Board has determined that tinnitus is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection for tinnitus. The issues of right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and low back disorder are remanded due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral pes planus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence reasonably supports that the Veteran has bilateral pes planus which was first noted in service and has persisted since.

The Veteran's hyperthyroidism is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Left knee DJD was granted a 10 percent rating prior to April 22, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot and right knee disorders are related to his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from new providers and updating the record with any relevant information.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was granted, with the effective date being July 2014. The claims for service connection of right knee and sleep apnea disabilities were also granted as secondary to his low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and wrist disabilities do not warrant a higher rating as the evidence does not show that they meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than May 18, 2007 for a 10 percent rating for scars of the left humerus and right leg were denied.,The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than May 18, 2007 for a 10 percent rating for scars of the right hip and right leg from knee to top of femoral neck below right knee were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination of both left and right knees.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, including cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral shoulder disorders. The evidence does not support a direct or secondary relationship to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating. The Veteran will need to undergo examinations related to his bilateral CTS, psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video-conference hearing. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder remains on appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disabilities due to new evidence provided by his private physician. The claims are now considered substantiated.,On de novo review, the Veteran's back disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a hearing before a local Hearing Officer.

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete examination reports and the need for additional medical records. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed in light of his service history, including prepatellar bursitis diagnoses.