Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, but denied the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of valid audiometric test results.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for right lateral cutaneous neuritis and chronic right hip strain were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for status post total right knee replacement was granted, with the maximum allowable rating.

The Board denied an initial schedular evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia with headaches, sleeplessness, fatigue, and diffuse multiple joint pain. The issue of whether separate ratings for individual joint disabilities are warranted was also denied.

The Board found no evidence of a right or left knee disability in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection as there is insufficient medical evidence to support his assertions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for unspecified ear damage, right collar bone fracture, and right knee degenerative joint disease have all been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not related to a service-connected lumbar spine condition. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its previous decision, requiring further examination and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial noncompensable rating assigned for scar tissue of the left foot is upheld, as the evidence does not show any limitation of function or instability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected postoperative arthrotomy of the left knee is being remanded due to a need for further examination and assessment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Meniere's disease had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection. The issue of whether his right knee disorder was aggravated during active service remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if his current left knee disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her left knee disability and service connection for a cervical spine disorder were both denied. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent based on instability, but no increased rating was granted due to lack of severe instability as demonstrated by objective clinical testing. Service connection for the cervical spine disorder was also not established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability and the etiology of his left knee arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination for the appellant's right and left knee bursitis/prepatellar bursitis and left shoulder disability. The appellant will be provided with another opportunity to submit evidence and arguments.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for reactive airway disease and bronchitis, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, and abdominal muscle strain were denied as there is no evidence that these conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee condition, left ear hearing loss, and left ankle condition. The lumbar stenosis and thoracic myelopathy were also considered but not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in a 30 percent disability rating from April 29, 2007 to October 28, 2008 and a 70 percent disability rating from October 29, 2008 to May 5, 2009. Service connection was denied for sinusitis, hypertension, chronic diarrhea, heart palpitations, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, but he does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss. The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and hepatitis C. The Veteran's pre-existing right knee condition is not shown to have been aggravated during his active duty, and there is no evidence of record showing that his current hepatitis C was incurred in or aggravated by his military service.