Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of her right knee patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, sleep apnea, low back strain, left knee strain, right knee medial meniscus tear, tinnitus, hypertension, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including hypothyroidism, right shoulder disability, migraine headaches, urinary incontinence, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability and arthritis, are not etiologically related to her periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA). The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's new knee braces would cause irreparable damage to her clothing. The appeal is now pending and will be reconsidered after further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability was manifested by full flexion and extension with no instability or subluxation, but with objective evidence of crepitation, grinding, and abnormal patellar tracking. The Board found a 10 percent rating for the right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and left ankle disabilities did not manifest during active duty or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability (neck numbness), and left arm numbness are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide updated examinations for her asthma, left knee, and lumbar spine conditions. Her claim for a TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the right knee disability claim, and that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is granted. The issue of service connection for Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (claimed as heart condition with irregular heartbeat) is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his need for aid and attendance or housebound status, evaluation of his nonservice-connected disabilities, and readjudication of the pension benefits claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain missing service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO in Roanoke, Virginia. The issues of service connection and evaluation remain unresolved.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not etiologically related to active service, including as a result of in-service noise exposure. The weight of the competent and credible evidence does not support a finding of relationship between the Veteran's current tinnitus and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot, left knee DJD with strain, and bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are attributable to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is manifested by pain, slightly limited motion, and difficulty with stairs and squatting. However, there is no objective evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less; extension limited to 10 degrees or more; recurrent subluxation or objective evidence of lateral instability; dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent locking, pain or effusion into the joint; or impairment of the tibia or fibula. Therefore, a disability rating greater than 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 15, 2011 for the increase to 30 percent disability for pes planus was granted. The effective date is set at February 18, 2011.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent each. The Veteran was also awarded an initial compensable rating (20%) for her migraine headache disability.

The Veteran's service-connected spine and left knee disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history prior to December 6, 2011.