Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and to ensure the Veteran's claims are properly developed.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a right knee disorder and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's complaints of knee pain during active duty, as well as post-service treatment records, support these findings.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased rating of his right knee disability and service connection for a left knee disability. The claims are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination regarding his claimed left knee and ankle disorders.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including ganglion cyst, pseudo gout, meniscal tears, and arthrosis, was granted a 100% rating effective March 24, 2011. The rating was subsequently reduced to 30% effective May 1, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements are sufficient to place the evidence in equipoise as to whether his claimed tinnitus had its onset during service. The left knee condition claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and shoulder disorders were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of such during his military service or at his separation examination. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's right knee DJD is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum non-compensable rating. The VA examiner found no additional functional impairment due to flare-ups or repetitive use.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim of reopening the right ear hearing loss service connection was granted.,The claims for higher ratings for right ankle sprain and residuals of a left knee laceration were denied.,The claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for his left knee disability was increased to 30 percent from February 2009 until March 2010, with a previous 10 percent rating assigned from October 2008 until February 2009.

The Veteran is in receipt of compensation for disabilities as if service-connected, but no disability has been established in fact. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for basic eligibility for VA vocational rehabilitation services.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for the period beginning September 30, 2009. The appeal was denied as his claim did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic depression, but his other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need to locate medical records and obtain an etiology opinion based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right knee disability, or persistent or recurrent symptoms related to a right knee disability. Therefore, service connection for a right knee disorder is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation and a higher rating for his right wrist injury. The decision is considered to be supported by the evidence at that time.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining treatment records. The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating increase are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing proper notice.