Knee decisions — 2025

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a separate rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy from October 20, 2020.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee strain and granted an initial 60 percent rating for dermatographism dermatitis.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, low back and bilateral hip disabilities based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board remands the claims for an initial, compensable disability rating for left knee and shoulder scars due to a need for further development of evidence.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and right and left knee disabilities. The claims for headaches, a lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of January 19, 2016, for the award of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, cluster headaches, back muscle pain, rhinosinusitis, and right knee painful joint.

The Board granted service connection for right knee tendinitis and denied service connection for a recurrent sleep disability to include sleep apnea. The claim for hypertension was remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee, right knee, left hip, and right hip disability prior to the Veteran's death, as these disabilities were found to be directly related to an injury sustained during active military service.

The Board granted a 20 percent initial rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome and service connection for left knee strain, but denied other claims including increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, incomplete right bundle branch block (claimed as cardiac arrhythmia), degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with IVDS, scarring of the left inguinal area, status post varicocele surgery, and service connection for left shoulder strain and restless leg syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as there was no evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disorder, an increased rating for a left knee disability, and an increased rating for a cervical spine disability. The claim for service connection for hypertension was remanded.

The Veteran was granted separate ratings of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, a higher rating under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o), and a higher rating under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1).

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another since September 30, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of service connection for degenerative arthritis left knee and right knee strain with osteoarthritis.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the appeal for a further VA examination to address deficiencies in the previous examination report, specifically regarding range of motion measurements with weight-bearing.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and an initial 20 percent rating for dry eye syndrome with pinguecula, while denying service connection for other psychiatric disorders, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions. Some claims were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a procedural error in failing to provide the Veteran with notice of her right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board remands the issues for additional development, including obtaining new medical opinions and ensuring all relevant treatment records are obtained.