Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and back disorders, as well as numbness of the lower extremities, were denied. The Board found that none of these conditions are shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and right long finger hyperkeratotic nodule are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and back conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia was denied by the Board as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain is as likely as not attributable to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of traumatic brain injury remains pending due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement is not service-connected as the preponderance of the evidence shows it was less likely than not related to his service.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least in equipoise with service connection, while tinnitus is granted based on credible lay testimony.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability has been assigned a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent, and the amputation rule prevents a higher schedular rating. The claim for an extraschedular rating is referred to the AOJ.

The Board has ordered additional development of the claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering new evidence submitted by the Veteran's representative. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's right knee retropatellar pain syndrome is currently rated as noncompensable prior to December 9, 2010 and as 10 percent disabling thereafter. The left knee disability remains noncompensable.,Service connection for GERD and sleep apnea has not been established.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for service-connected lumbosacral strain and right knee disability due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee arthralgia, chondromalacia patella, and bursitis is likely due to an injury sustained during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for his cervical spine, left knee, and left hip conditions. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and bilateral hip disabilities are not secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain service treatment records, arrange for examinations, and ensure that the claims are adjudicated on a complete evidentiary record.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as right knee status post ACL rupture with meniscal tear and grade IV chondromalacia, was granted an initial non-compensable rating from February 6, 2007. A separate 10 percent evaluation for painful motion was awarded effective January 25, 2013.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the appellant's service periods and obtain his medical records. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are currently rated at 10 percent each, effective January 1, 2009. His cervical spondylosis is also rated at 20 percent, effective the same date. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested and was granted the right to withdraw his appeal.

The case is REMANDED for the following: (1) Obtain copies of complete records of all VA evaluations and/or treatment the Veteran has received for GERD, low back, and right and left knee disabilities from April 2011 to the present. (2) Arrange for an orthopedic examination of the Veteran to assess the current severity of his knee and low back disabilities. (3) Arrange for a gastrointestinal diseases examination of the Veteran to assess the severity of his GERD.