Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including neuropathy, thrombocytopenia, a left arm scar, obstructive sleep apnea, and blurred vision are all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are supported by competent medical evidence, and the causal relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD is established.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, including SSA disability benefits records. The right knee and right hip issues are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left knee disability. Specifically, clarification from the private examiner regarding speech discrimination scores in July 2013 audiological examination is required, as well as obtaining relevant VA treatment records and any non-duplicative private treatment records. Additionally, the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA joint examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed left knee disability.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability is not warranted, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for any higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes. The Veteran's left knee disability manifests with painful motion and arthritis without incapacitating exacerbations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for bilateral knee disability as resolved by a March 2015 award of service connection. The remaining claims on lower back and left shoulder disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including reviewing new evidence and conducting a VA examination to address the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability. The AOJ is also requested to confirm the dates of the Veteran's participation in the United States Army reserves and consider whether any service-connected disability caused or aggravated his right knee condition.

The Veteran's conditions, including diabetes and its related complications, are not service connected. The Board denied the claims for service connection based on lack of evidence showing onset or causation in service.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip, left hip, and back conditions have been reopened. The Veteran's knee conditions are also pending.,Service connection for a kidney disability is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an audiometric examination and a Statement of the Case regarding the issue of service connection for hearing loss. The initial disability rating claim will also be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds no reason to doubt the Veteran's credibility and concludes that he began experiencing ringing in his ears while in service, which continues to this day.

The Board finds that service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is warranted. The Veteran's right knee disorder was not granted, but the issues were otherwise resolved in his favor.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to new evidence showing a relationship between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a bilateral knee disorder were all denied. The Veteran was not granted any initial evaluations or service connections.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current right knee disability, as the previous examiner's reliance on lack of medical evidence from service until many years later is inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the left knee is denied as there was no prior claim filed before May 18, 2009. The RO granted service connection in December 2010 and assigned a 10% rating, effective from May 18, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuropathy, as well as his requests for earlier effective dates and TDIU. The disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 18, 2006, and at 30 percent beginning that date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, mood disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection based on inservice sexual assault.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was not granted for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension (to include as due to diabetes mellitus Type II), or right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) beginning October 20, 2014 is denied as there are no allegations or evidence of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.