Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent since May 1, 2009. The rating was granted as chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for spondylosis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as there is no compensable limitation of motion found.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, and no other foot disorder was identified at the Veteran's hearing before the Board in February 2013. The record also does not support a relationship between any other foot disability and service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to service-connected disabilities in the year prior to his June 28, 2007 claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also found that her preexisting left knee disability was not aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected nephrolithiasis, eczema, lumbago, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, and osteoarthritis of the left knee disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for muscle injury to Muscle Groups XI and XII, scars on the left knee and left lateral and medial calf, and degenerative joint disease of the left knee characterized by instability. The effective dates are December 23, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes in either ear, and thus service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss. The other issues on appeal are also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities. This includes obtaining Social Security Administration records, VA treatment records, and any relevant service personnel records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to address the extent of impairment and remaining function in his left arm, hand, leg, and foot. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee and post-operative residuals of a right meniscectomy do not warrant an increased rating as there is no evidence of compensable limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip degenerative joint disease is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants secondary service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records. A VA examination is requested to determine if these conditions are related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. A VA examination will also be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of his left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left knee disability or lower back disorder related to service. The Veteran's reports of continuity of symptoms are not credible given the lack of such reports at separation and in earlier medical records.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, and outstanding VA treatment records are requested.

The Board has reopened the claims and granted service connection for right knee disability and left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to noise exposure during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The initial rating for his degenerative arthritis, bilateral knees, status post meniscus repair with scars remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's left knee instability and DJD prior to January 6, 2011 do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and possibly scheduling VA examinations.