Knee decisions — 2025

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and dismissed an appeal seeking a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his TBI residuals. The claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, acquired psychiatric, and neck disabilities were also denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and initial rating claims, resulting in the dismissal of all matters on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, respiratory disorder with dyspnea, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), abdominal pain syndrome (APS), restless leg syndrome (RLS), chronic headaches, left knee strain, right knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and disability manifested by right shoulder pain. The Board also granted increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities to 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee strain (right knee disability), and hypertension as the evidence did not support an in-service injury or event related to these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee, right knee, left ankle, and low back conditions as secondary to his service-connected right ankle sprain with tenosynovitis.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, kidney condition, and hypertension as the evidence did not support the claims.

The Board remands the claim for a new etiology opinion to determine if the Veteran's knee arthritis is related to service or secondary to her service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for a left hand and wrist disability, initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee disabilities, and an initial compensable rating for ingrown toenail of the bilateral big toe. The claims for service connection for reproductive disability, PTSD, and alcohol use disorder were remanded.

All appeals for higher ratings, decreased ratings, and service connection claims have been dismissed as the Veteran has already appealed these issues to the Board.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection based on new and relevant evidence, but remanded several issues for further development.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 for various conditions.

The Board granted service connection for left and right foot disabilities, left and right knee arthritis, and thoracolumbar spine with spondylosis, but denied lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for allergies, diabetes, gout, migraine including migraine variants, and left knee pain for further development, specifically to provide VA examinations.

The reduction in the rating for left knee limitation of extension from 30 percent to 10 percent was not proper, and the 30 percent disability rating is restored. Entitlement to an increased disability rating of 30 percent for left knee instability, effective June 2, 2020, is granted.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected spine, hip and knee disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board dismissed several accrued benefits claims related to increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD, allergic rhinitis, and right knee limitation of flexion as there was no evidence of considerable impairment of health or significant functional impact.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding it related to the Veteran's service.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right knee disability as the VA opinion did not adequately consider the evidence, particularly the Veteran's reports of strenuous activity during service.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension and left knee limitation of extension, but denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee chondromalacia patella.