Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders. The claims are now considered substantiated.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee degenerative joint disease was denied, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and TDIU were also denied.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current left knee disorders had their onset during service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for increased ratings and initial rating claims for left knee conditions. The Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right kidney mass, and diabetes mellitus, type II. However, it found that new and material evidence had not been submitted sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for higher evaluations for depression and right knee condition was denied. The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent, while his right knee condition is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for a temporary total evaluation based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence and an effective date earlier than February 23, 2009, for a 30 percent disability rating for service-connected left knee disability under Diagnostic Code 5055 are granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder and left knee disorders are being remanded to obtain medical opinions on the questions as to whether these disorders are related to his active service. The claim of secondary service connection for a right knee disorder is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service, especially as secondary to his right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and for further development of his claims, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee injury during service and concluded that the current left knee condition is not related to any event, injury or disease in service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found no credible evidence of a right knee injury during periods of INACDUTRA, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected mechanical low back strain is currently rated at 20 percent since December 22, 2011. The Board denied an increased rating for the period prior to that date.,For the period since December 22, 2011, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation of mechanical low back strain.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for another VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee, wrist, and foot disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of his Reserve service and an appropriate VA examination to evaluate his claimed cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to July 12, 2008 and a separate rating for instability of the left knee. From September 1, 2009, he is rated at 60 percent for his status post left knee replacement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected left hip, right knee, and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his service-connected left knee disability and therefore, denied the claim for service connection.