Knee decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, a left knee disability, and a right knee disability. The claim for service connection for a low back disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his range of motion does not warrant one.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a higher evaluation of 30 percent effective January 10, 2007. The Board also granted an increased evaluation for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees.

The Veteran's left and right knees are each rated at 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, but separate ratings of 10 percent for limited extension and 20 percent for instability and effusion have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability, including any additional limitations on function due to flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hip, left ankle, right knee, and lumbar spine disorders are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board is unable to decide on the TDIU claim due to a need to first adjudicate the service connection for left knee disability. The Veteran's informal claim of service connection for his left knee disability may impact whether he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased initial ratings for urinary incontinence, sinusitis, and anemia have been withdrawn.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disorder was aggravated by his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including rating adjustments for various disabilities, an effective date claim for TDIU, and a need for additional medical examinations. The case is being remanded to obtain these necessary steps.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the right knee is proximately caused by his service-connected left knee disability and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records. The current severity of his service-connected left knee disability will be assessed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma and the Board finds service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee and low back disabilities are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of a chronic ongoing condition associated with his military service. The preponderance of the evidence supports the denial of these claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial evaluations of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation as his symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination in June 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 25, 2013. The RO granted a higher rating for PTSD and denied service connection for other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's current right knee arthritis is attributed to gout and aging.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including traumatic arthritis, is attributable to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.