Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted. His bilateral hearing loss was found to be related to his military service, rheumatoid arthritis and steroid acne are considered as resulting from or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, and the low back disability is rated higher than initially assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral painful heels with degenerative changes, as well as his claims for increased evaluations for left and right painful heels. The case is also remanded to obtain a discharge physical from the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) or National Archives Records Administration (NARA).

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, based on arthritis and instability. The current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for all issues except possibly service connection on the merits.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent disabling due to limitation of motion, with a separate 10 percent rating for instability since June 24, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, small cell carcinoma of the lung, was not related to his service-connected disabilities or any in-service radiation exposure. The medical opinions of record found no connection between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, pes planus, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, bilateral hip disabilities, and a low back disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of aggravation or pre-existing conditions in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an injury to the left clavicle and a compensable rating for residuals of a laceration wound to the right knee joint were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as he can perform substantially gainful employment with his training and skills.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with appropriate examinations to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any spine disorder and bilateral knee disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and recurrent blood clots. The claims are REMANDED for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and wrist disabilities began during service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent and no higher. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had a range of motion from 0 to 110 degrees with no objective evidence of pain with active motion, and no additional limitations after repetition of motion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left foot conditions, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The initial rating of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability are also granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 10, 2007 and increased to 20 percent effective May 10, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims have been dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's active duty service was less than the required 36 months for full benefit, and thus he is only eligible for a reduced benefit level of 60%. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C and a right knee disorder have all been denied.,There is no evidence of any current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his military service or to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and thus denied both direct and secondary service connection claims.