Knee decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a bilateral ankle disorder, and a heart disorder. The Veteran's initial ratings for tinnitus, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), lumbosacral strain, bilateral shin splints, right knee strain with crepitus, and left ear hearing loss were also denied.

The Board granted a rating of 50 percent for migraines but denied an increased rating for right knee strain. The claim for service connection for cardiomyopathy with automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders as they were found to clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his service and were not aggravated beyond their natural progression.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed as moot. The claims for earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings and service connection were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, right hip strain, lumbosacral strain, right knee meniscal tear, and left wrist sprain. The claim for service connection for cervical strain was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor based on evidence showing onset during active-duty service.

The Board denied service connection for skin rash, hand/knuckles disability, shoulder strain, and pes planus. The claims for gastro issues, right knee strain, knee arthritis, back problems as secondary to knee, and ankle condition were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as a compensable rating for a surgical scar.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and the challenge to a rating reduction, thus the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board granted the reopening of claims for service connection for left knee condition, chronic back pain from sacroiliac joint (claimed as back condition), status post total knee replacement, right knee, and left hand writer's dystonia (also claimed as tremors) based on new and relevant evidence. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board remands all claims for service connection for various conditions secondary to hemochromatosis due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability and granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for left knee limitation of extension.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis in the right knee, degenerative arthritis in the lower back, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim for an eye disorder was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, diagnosed as status post total knee replacements, finding no evidence of a medical nexus between the current conditions and his military service.

The Board remands the issues related to the veteran's service-connected left knee conditions for additional development, including verification of contact information and obtaining necessary consents.

The Board denied an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability based on limitation of flexion prior to October 23, 2023, and from November 21, 2023. However, a 10 percent rating was granted for the period from October 23, 2023, to November 20, 2023. The Board also denied an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for left knee disability based on limitation of extension from April 23, 2021, to October 22, 2023, and a rating higher than 30 percent from October 23, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, bilateral knee strain and left knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hip trochanteric pain syndrome, bilateral elbow strain, bilateral foot degenerative arthritis, bilateral shoulder strain, and bilateral hand strain. OSA was denied.

The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded claims for a right knee disability, left ankle disability, and left foot disability.

The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including right and left knee conditions, bilateral feet issues, bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral metatarsalgia, and daytime hypersomnolence. The sleep disorder other than daytime hypersomnolence was remanded.