Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a link to service.,The Veteran's right and left knee replacements are remanded due to the absence of continuity of symptomatology from service and lack of explanation regarding claimed in-service injuries.,The Veteran's hypertension, chronic renal disease, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia are remanded as they may be related to his multiple myeloma. The claims for these conditions will be deferred pending further development.,The Veteran's multiple myeloma is remanded due to the absence of a dose estimate from VA’s Under Secretary for Health regarding ionizing radiation exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further investigation into the Veteran's service connection claim.

The Veteran's PTSD, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and left knee disorder are being remanded for further evaluation. The initial rating for PTSD is granted at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was granted. The initial compensable rating claim for left ear hearing loss was denied. The issue of service connection for a left knee disability is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issues of service connection for right ankle strain and low back disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his knee and back disabilities, as well as a vocational counselor opinion regarding his TDIU claim. The claims will be reconsidered after these examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 1, 2011 to February 3, 2013 was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for costochondritis, right hip disorder, and right knee disorder were denied. The claim for aggravation of pre-existing pes planus was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and bilateral knee disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis with shin splints have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

Service connection is granted for right knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Service connection is remanded for sinusitis and headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 28, 2011 for a 60% disability rating for his service-connected left knee disability. The evidence did not show that the Veteran met or nearly approximated the criteria for a 60% rating for his left knee disability with scar before February 28, 2011.

The Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent disability rating for right knee limitation of extension from December 7, 2010 to July 11, 2011. For the period prior to July 11, 2011, his right knee degenerative joint disease does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder, cervical spine disability, joint pain in the arms, dizziness, headaches, numbness of the upper extremities, sleep disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, ovarian cyst, dermatitis/skin disorder of the face, and arthritis of the jaw/otalgia/TMJ disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria and he was still capable of performing light physical and sedentary work.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination for the Veteran's bilateral hip and left knee disabilities, as well as to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolisthesis of L-5 sacrum was reopened and granted. The claims for stomach condition, left knee disability, right knee disability, and residuals of TBI were denied. The case is remanded for further review on the diabetes mellitus, type II associated with PTSD with depression and anxiety.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities. Service connection was also denied for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a stomach condition.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to insufficient rationale provided by VA examiners and incomplete medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 24, 2013, for his service connection granted for a left knee disability. The claim was filed on that day and there is no evidence of any prior claims or communications seeking this benefit.