Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran is granted a higher level of SMC based on loss of use of both feet due to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and also entitled to SMC under subsection (o) for two separate awards. She is also eligible for the additional aid and attendance allowance under subsection (r)(1).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing impairment is related to his exposure to loud noise during active duty. The right knee disability claim was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's current left knee disorder is considered to be aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus the Board has granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be related to his service-connected left knee disability. The effective dates for the grant of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee conditions, including tricompartmental degenerative joint disease and gout, are not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for low back strain associated with postoperative residuals, lateral and medial meniscectomy with degenerative changes, right knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee arthritis has been manifested by no less than 110 degrees of flexion and 0 degrees of extension, without x-ray evidence of involvement of two or more major joints or two or more minor joints groups with occasional incapacitating exacerbations. The criteria for an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis have been rated at 10 percent since February 29, 2012. The initial rating period from August 1, 2008 to February 29, 2012 was granted as noncompensable (0 percent).

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities as of April 10, 2010. Prior to that date, he was gainfully employed and his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders are related to his military service, granting service connection for both.

The Veteran's left knee strain was rated at 10 percent prior to July 18, 2016. Service connection for costochondritis was denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss and granted it, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by his military service. The right knee disability and lower back disability claims are remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and left foot posterior tibial dysfunction with pes planus and hammertoes are secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.,Both conditions have been found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right knee disability have been rated based on their severity, but the right knee has not met the criteria for a higher rating since October 10, 2014. The left shoulder and head trauma disabilities are also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of all his claims, including those for higher ratings for various knee and foot conditions, as well as restoration of a rating for moderate instability of knees associated with chondromalacia. The Board has dismissed these claims due to the Veteran's request.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee and restless leg syndrome conditions are related to his military service, granting service connection for both.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have a left knee meniscus tear and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and retrieval of missing records.