Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 1, 2009. The RO inferred an increased rating claim for the service-connected left knee disability in conjunction with his TDIU application.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bulging disc and arthritis in the lumbar spine status post lammectomy with fusion and burr removal, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The right knee condition and bilateral hip condition claims were also denied.,There is no credible evidence of record indicating any current right knee or bilateral hip conditions related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and chronic pain syndrome, to include a right knee disorder, are related to his active duty service. The evidence is in equipoise regarding these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee and right hip disorders are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and workers' compensation records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee condition is due to an injury he incurred during his period of active duty for training in May 1999, and thus service connection is granted.

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

The Veteran's claim for a waiver of overpayment in disability compensation benefits was denied as the debt was not against equity and good conscience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right knee chondromalacia, arthritis, and laceration are related to his military service. The left knee arthritis is also found to be related to the right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral calf disorder or right knee disorder, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied. The remaining issues of secondary service connection are inextricably intertwined with the pes planus claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service, and therefore, denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the Louisville, Kentucky RO. The issues on appeal include service connection claims and requests to reopen previously denied claims.

The Veteran's appeal is to determine if he should receive a higher rating for his left total knee replacement (TKR). The Board has referred this claim to the Chief Benefits Director of VA's Compensation and Pension Service for consideration on an extra-schedular basis. Additional evidence, including treatment records from Virtual VA and VBMS, must be considered before deciding the case.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder in 1979, finding no evidence of such conditions during service.,In 2008, the Veteran appealed these decisions. The claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has keloids on his chest and back, right ear hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), right hip bursitis, left hip bursitis, right knee bursitis with chondromalacia, bilateral flat feet with degenerative changes of both feet, and stress related headaches. The Veteran's service connection claims are granted as his conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and degenerative changes of the right knee, finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee pain and varicosities of the left lower extremity, as well as PTSD, are being remanded due to incomplete information regarding his military service dates and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for right knee degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.