Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current right knee disorder that is less likely than not caused by or related to an injury in service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis has been withdrawn. The TDIU claim is part and parcel of the right knee disability claim, which remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of records, including SSA disability benefits information. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, headache, and right knee disabilities are in dispute.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is service-connected, but his right leg disorder is not. The appeal for non-service connected pension was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability and consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle calcaneal spurs and left knee instability have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no objective evidence of sinusitis, epididymitis, onychomycosis, left knee disability or left shoulder disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not presumed due to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a left knee disability or low back disability that is related to service, including as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's vision loss in the left eye was also denied.

The Veteran's arthritis, including of the feet, legs, back, shoulder, and hands, was not shown during service or for many years thereafter. The Board finds that there is no causal connection between the Veteran's service and his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral vision loss, bilateral foot arthritis, left knee arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and left hand arthritis are not related to service. The Veteran's current conditions have been diagnosed as a result of post-service treatment and do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the impact of the Veteran's service-connected joint disabilities on his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the reduction in disability ratings for the Veteran's right and left knee instability or subluxation from 20 to 0 percent, effective October 1, 2010 through May 28, 2012, was not proper.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability was caused by his service-connected left knee disability and thus, service connection is granted on a secondary basis.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The Veteran's recurrent ear infections are considered new and material evidence to reopen his claim, but he does not have a current disability of atrophy of the brain.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion, and he has separate 10 percent ratings for his left and right hand degenerative changes.

The Veteran's pes planus is service-connected and rated at 10 percent, effective October 21, 2004. The Board has granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis due to aggravation by his service-connected low back and bilateral knee disabilities.,The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating based on his combined 80 percent disability rating from his psychiatric, low back, and bilateral knee conditions. The Board has granted a TDIU rating in this case.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated as 20 percent prior to November 17, 2014 and 40 percent thereafter, which the Board found not sufficient to warrant higher ratings. Service connection for a left knee disability was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with herniated disc T11 - T12.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the right knee disability claim is granted.

The Board has determined that there is a valid appeal regarding the left knee disability rating, and issues pertaining to the left knee surgical scar and leg length discrepancy. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left knee strain is dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.