Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches and bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that the Veteran has tinnitus that had its onset during his period of service, warranting service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from service, and it is not otherwise related to his active duty service. The claim was denied as there was no causal relationship between the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and his current bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with the right knee receiving a separate rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage. The claims are granted as the ratings assigned meet the criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing at the earliest available opportunity. The Veteran's request to have the hearing held at the VA Medical Center in Roseburg, Oregon is noted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee and left hip disabilities, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's left knee meniscus tear resulted in instability and pain, warranting a 20% disability rating. The TDIU claim was granted effective from August 31, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for headaches has been granted, with the highest available rating of 50 percent effective from July 2006. The remaining claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders, including degenerative joint disease (DJD), were not incurred in or aggravated by service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence indicating worsening of the Veteran's disabilities, and a new examination is required before further rating decisions can be made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right knee disorder. The initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss was not granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a need for an adequate statement of reasons or bases in support of its finding that a VA examination or opinion is not warranted. The Veteran's service record indicates he had a trick knee during active service, which may be related to his current right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues related to Sjögren's Syndrome and a bilateral knee disorder, as well as pulmonary and allergic disorders. The Veteran will need additional VA opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding no evidence linking current disabilities to service or post-service treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was found to be caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The service-connection claim for a left hip disability is being remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle sprain, with an effective date of December 28, 2009. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a right leg scar were also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is related to service, while his bilateral knee disorder is not. The decision is mixed as it grants one claim and denies another.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings, reopening of service connection claims, and secondary service connection were denied. The right knee condition remains rated at 10 percent, tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular evaluation, and no new evidence was received to reopen hearing loss, headaches, or left carpal tunnel syndrome claims.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee strain post ligament repair and completion of a VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability).

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and a degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are not considered presumptively related due to lack of continuity or within one year post-service.