Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is granted, but his claim for service connection for tooth discoloration as secondary to a service-connected condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been manifested by normal extension, with flexion to at worst 60 degrees. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left knee anterior cruciate ligament repair.

The Veteran's right hip, back, and left knee disabilities were evaluated based on their service-connected status. The appellant sought higher initial ratings for these conditions, but the Board found that the current evaluations (100% for right hip, 10% for back, and 10% for left knee) were appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The appeal will be returned to the RO after the hearing is conducted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is not related to his military service and was not caused or permanently worsened by his service-connected right knee strain and limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and a left knee disorder were denied. The initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted at 20% effective June 5, 2010, and increased to 40% effective November 26, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of ankylosis, malunion, or astragalectomy. The right knee and left ankle disabilities are rated based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the RO has granted service connection for right knee disabilities and assigned appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 10 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for instability. Service connection for sleep apnea was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and the Veteran's request for a hearing. The claims of service connection for left knee surgery, left knee surgical scars, restless leg syndrome, and migraines are still pending.

The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his right knee disability. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his left knee strain, as his last VA examination was from March 2009. The issue remains on hold until further notice.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied as there is no current evidence of the claimed condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining specific dates of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service with the U.S. Army Reserve, providing VCAA notice regarding service connection based on ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA, scheduling a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed bilateral knee disability is etiologically related to any documented periods of ACDUTRA and/or INACDUTRA, and readjudicating the issue.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. These conditions are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knee, hearing loss, and tinnitus. High cholesterol and hypertension are not considered disabilities under VA law.

The Veteran's left knee disability is service connected as secondary to his right knee and right ankle disabilities. The Board has granted this claim.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the assignment of a higher rating for his left knee disability, which was granted in August 2009. The RO attempted to obtain treatment records from the Wilmington VA Medical Center but did not attempt to obtain records from the Delaware VAMC.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for new VA examinations.