Knee Board decisions

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The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.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

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 20 percent since January 25, 2010. The right and left knee disabilities were each rated at 10 percent since December 29, 2009.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral leg and knee disorders (including the knees), as secondary to her service-connected major depressive disorder and jaw disorder. The effective date of the grant is March 23, 2010.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted, with a rating of 30 percent effective November 4, 2009. The kidney condition claim is denied as there is no evidence that the benign cyst may be related to ionizing radiation exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right knee, left knee (post-ORIF and TKA), and low back disabilities are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 11, 2006 for the service connection of cold injury residuals of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran is also eligible for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities resulting in loss of use of limbs.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the Veteran's address and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current right knee condition is not related to her active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active military service. The claims for cervical spine and bilateral knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.