Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as patellofemoral syndrome, is not found to meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and has been granted.,Bilateral hearing loss was diagnosed during VA examination, but the examiner could not determine its etiology without resorting to speculation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral pes planus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a pre-existing bilateral pes planus condition that was aggravated by his active duty service, and thus he is entitled to service connection.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is caused by his service-connected left knee disability, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition. However, the Veteran's current knee and ankle conditions are not related to her active duty service.

The Board has requested additional medical records and a new examination to determine if the appellant needs aid and attendance or is housebound due to her disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hip and knee disabilities are related to his period of active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pes planus with degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral knee and ankle degenerative joint disease, meet the criteria for a TDIU as they result in his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to February 9, 2015, is rated at 10 percent for traumatic arthritis and a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's right knee brace causes wear and tear to his pants, which is service-connected. Therefore, he is entitled to an annual clothing allowance for 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability did not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment prior to September 10, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder did not relate to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, including residuals of surgery, is being remanded due to potential destruction of service treatment records and the need for an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back strain with degenerative disc disease, left knee chondromalacia, right knee chondromalacia, right foot traumatic arthritis with pes planus, left foot traumatic arthritis with pes planus, right hip degenerative arthritis, and left hip degenerative arthritis, meet the minimum combined rating criteria for a TDIU since February 27, 2006. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's current bilateral knee arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left knee instability and meniscectomy residuals prior to January 13, 2014 is granted. The effective date remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee chondromalacia patella have been rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the appellant's current left knee and left ankle disorders are not related to his service, specifically noting inconsistencies in the appellant's timeline of events. The claim for service connection was denied.