Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee instability due to his withdrawal of the issue. The remaining issues have been remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee degenerative joint disease is not related to his active service, including any reported injuries therein. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as there are no legal grounds to assign a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6260. For ED, the RO has already granted service connection and assigned the minimum (zero percent) evaluation allowed by law.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's right wrist tendonitis claim has been reopened and granted. His right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10%.

The Board granted increased ratings for left knee disability, characterized as limitation of extension and instability, with a rating of 30 percent effective July 7, 2014. The right knee disabilities were not rated higher.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for another hearing before the Veterans Law Judge who will decide the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, hip, and bilateral knee disabilities did not manifest during her periods of service or were otherwise related to such service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions are service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability will be addressed.

The Veteran's right knee disability, as of April 1, 2013, is currently evaluated at 30 percent and the Board finds that an increase to a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SOC) on several issues.

The Board found that a chronic right knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and arthritis could not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and bilateral hearing loss require additional development due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his right lateral thigh shrapnel and gunshot wound residuals.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have worsened, and a new VA examination is required to determine the current severity of his disabilities. Additionally, updated VA treatment records should be obtained upon remand, including any physical therapy records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.