Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for left knee scars, status-post total arthroplasty and residual scars status-post meniscectomy due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the service-connected conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including painful scars of the right knee, left foot plantar fasciitis, residuals of fracture of the left talus, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The claims were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings or an earlier effective date.

The appeal for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person to afford the Veteran a VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to the Veteran's failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations, which he has now provided 'good cause' for.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee strain, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability and his in-service injury.

The Board remands the appeal for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities and determine whether he is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, sinusitis, and a right knee condition. The claim for an initial compensable rating for asthma was remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for further development, including additional VA examinations to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected left hip, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, hypertension, and musculoskeletal issues, to ensure compliance with duty to assist requirements.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted an effective date of August 24, 2012. The ratings for the other conditions were denied or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, finding a medical link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple myeloma, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right knee scar, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus. Service connection was granted for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the assignment of separate 20 percent ratings for right and left knee instability, but denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claim for special monthly compensation to correct a duty to assist error and to obtain an examination regarding potential loss of use of extremities.

The Board denied service connection for pain in the right ankle, left ankle, left knee, right knee, and right hip as there was no evidence of a current disability. The appeal for treatment purposes for depression with anxiety, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and PTSD was also denied due to untimeliness.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's left knee strain with bursitis was caused or aggravated by her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 21, 2023, for the evaluations of 40 percent for low back disability, 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and 20 percent for right knee disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for higher initial evaluations of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations.