Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disability. The reopened claims are being remanded to further develop the evidence.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's left knee tendonitis is now rated at 20 percent, effective September 3, 2015. Her herniated disc of the lumbar spine with osteoporosis is also rated at 20 percent, effective November 6, 2014.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions. The appeal is currently in a remanded status.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain updated evaluations for his right knee condition and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of her left knee disability, gastrointestinal (GI) condition(s), and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities and knees. The decision found that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and concluded that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are each rated at the minimum compensable level. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the maximum available rating.

The case is being remanded for further action regarding the DIC and service connection claims, as well as the increased rating claim for the right knee disability. The appellant's status as a valid substitute will determine whether an SOC should be issued for the increased rating claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disability, including iliotibial band syndrome. The Board finds that additional development is needed to verify the dates of service and obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee strain and finds that new evidence supports this claim.,The Veteran is granted service connection for his right knee strain, with no specific rating assigned at this time.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding no evidence of onset during or within one year after service. The Veteran's current osteoarthritis was attributed to his years of naval service.,Service connection for COPD was also denied as the Board found no direct link between the Veteran's military service and his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for instability of the right knee has been dismissed as he indicated satisfaction with his compensation increase and cancelled his hearing request.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic low back disability, but she does have a current diagnosis of DJD in both knees. Service connection is granted for DJD of both knees.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia, low back disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted a rating of 10 percent effective June 2, 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition and has determined that new evidence supports this reopening. The Veteran is also entitled to service connection for his right hip condition as secondary to his right knee condition, but not for his right knee scar.

The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder, and the low back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to July 25, 2016, with no higher. The right knee and left ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, while the right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination for his right knee disability and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the majority of issues related to his bilateral hearing loss, rhinitis, right knee disability, back disability, and left knee disability. The case is being remanded due to new evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability warrants a separate rating of no more than 10 percent for painful motion, and a higher rating is not warranted. The current 20 percent evaluation based on recurrent subluxation and lateral instability remains in effect.