Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues regarding secondary service connection and additional development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and assigned a noncompensable (zero percent) evaluation. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied, but he is currently receiving a compensable rating for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's right knee disability has not manifested by severe painful motion or weakness, and the current rating of 30 percent is adequate as it considers his symptoms under Diagnostic Codes 5261 (limitation of extension) and 5260 (limitation of flexion).

The Veteran's right knee disability is found to be related to his in-service injury, and service connection for the condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims were denied, with the exception of his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The remaining claims were either not granted or are pending further review.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and meniscal tear of the femoral fracture residuals do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service. The claims for a bilateral knee and back conditions are also granted, with the latter being secondary to his great toe hallux valgus.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities were not incurred in service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a chronic disability manifested by blurred vision during service.,Prostatitis was granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent from December 1, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability and left knee degenerative joint disease.,Non-service-connected pension claim is intertwined with the grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating assigned for the Veteran's right knee disability from 30 to 10 percent effective March 1, 2010 was not proper and remanded the issue of restoring a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal to establish the timeliness of his NOD with the August 2008 rating decision is granted. The case is REMANDED for issuance of a SOC addressing the merits of the service connection claims.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities and his service, including as due to injury therein. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess her pes planus, hip, knee, and back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleeping disorder, an intestinal disorder, a headache disorder, fatigue, skin disorders, memory loss, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and patellofemoral syndrome, and right ankle strain disorder. The decision was based on lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, erectile dysfunction, and sleep disorder are being addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine if the Veteran's back and left knee disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current headache condition is related to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for updated VA examinations and for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a Social and Industrial Survey and obtaining SSA records.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a left knee disability related to his military service, including an automobile accident involving an IED explosion in June 2005. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for the left knee disability.