Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus warrants a compensable rating of 10 percent.,For his left and right knee disabilities, the current ratings of 30 percent are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and psychiatric disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's February 2, 2006, VA Form 9 was timely filed, perfecting an appeal of the May 2004 rating decision that denied increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the left ankle and service connection for obesity, hernia, asthma, bilateral knee condition, endometriosis (also claimed as a disability manifested by a female bleeding disorder and PCOS).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia and osteoarthritis, is the result of an injury in service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted, and his right knee chondromalacia is rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia, as the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability. The case was remanded to consider an extraschedular rating and TDIU.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The RO/AMC found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation prior to August 4, 2014 and on or after August 4, 2014.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that this rating was appropriate based on his symptoms of limited flexion. The claim for service connection for a low back disability to include as secondary to service-connected left ankle and left knee disabilities has been remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is found to be aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The Board also granted an increased rating of 20% for the left knee disability effective March 25, 2014.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically right knee chondromalacia and left knee chondromalacia, were granted a combined rating of 30 percent. The right knee was assigned a separate 20% rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage from January 4, 2010.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that his flexion did not limit to less than 40 degrees and extension was normal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, which is secondary to his service-connected left knee injury, has been remanded due to inadequate prior VA examination and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which included a total knee replacement, was rated at 30 percent. The right knee disability was found to be secondary to the service-connected left knee disability and granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD and back disability were also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a 10% disability rating assigned for each knee condition. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection claim for the Veteran's left knee disability, concluding that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.