Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination of his right knee and obtaining all relevant treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis, circumcision residuals, and tinea pedis. The Veteran was already receiving a 10 percent rating for his left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia were evaluated. The right knee received a 10 percent rating, while the left knee was rated noncompensable due to pain limiting flexion to 90 degrees during flare-ups. The hypertension claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a left leg disorder other than the service-connected left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim for right leg injury residuals and bilateral foot injury residuals was denied as new and material evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeal as to this issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

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

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal of his claim for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, and left knee disability is denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions are related to active military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection, and he is now rated at a 10 percent rating for his left ear hearing loss. His left knee disability is also granted service connection, with a separate 20 percent rating for instability.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to February 23, 2011 and increased to 40 percent effective February 13, 2013. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met before February 23, 2011 but since then, the right ankle disorder warranted a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the current nature of any right knee disability and whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected and denied his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, and posttraumatic muscle tension headaches were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is the result of an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. The issue regarding the left knee disability will be remanded as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's chondromalacia/arthritis of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, but his gout requires separate evaluation. The Board has granted a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery due to service-connected arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disability, finding no competent evidence relating these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of hands and knees is not related to his active military service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions, including hypertension, psychiatric disorders, lung issues, head trauma, sleep apnea, headaches, and several other conditions. The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing.