Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's BPPV was found to have its inception in service and continued since service, granting service connection for this condition. The other issues were not addressed due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided that the claims of entitlement to service connection for right ankle, bilateral knee, bilateral foot, and back disabilities must be remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated in service. The claim for service connection for upper/lower back disability and bilateral knee disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine and left hip disabilities, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions at any point during or prior to the pendency of his claims. The Board also found that there was no evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus claims have been reopened, with service connection for both conditions established.,Service connection has also been granted for degenerative joint disease of the back due to his service-connected knee condition. The Veteran is not entitled to a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndromes have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either knee, with flexion limited to at least 120 degrees in the right knee and at least 90 degrees in the left knee.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for 2012 is denied as his knee braces do not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance due to lack of exposure basis and medical certification.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in an impairment of his ability to retain employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. The evidence shows that a MBA degree is necessary for the Veteran to remain employed at his current position.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, back, and ankle disorders as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected lung disability is rated at 60 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his other disabilities. The issue of an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of acute bronchitis is reconsidered and granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim, as a relevant service treatment record was submitted in June 1983.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right knee condition was granted, with a new and material evidence basis. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board found no basis for a higher rating. The claims for service connection of left and bilateral hip disorders were denied.

The Veteran's left below the knee amputation (BKA) is rated as 60% disabling, effective January 11, 2007.,Hypertension is currently rated at 10%, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10%. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right knee patella femoral syndrome, as well as his low back strain disability, have been granted at a non-compensable level (0 percent) effective July 28, 2008. The Board found that the disabilities are manifested by symptoms such as painful motion, swelling, weakened movement, flare-ups, and use of pain medication.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing. The claims of increased evaluations and effective date are pending.