Knee decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia on a presumptive basis, but denied higher initial ratings for PTSD, left shoulder disability (surgical scars), bilateral hearing loss, and remanded several other claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for back spasms, left rotator cuff condition, and right knee condition to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors made by the AOJ.

The Veteran's service connection for right foot arthritis, degenerative (claimed as tendonitis), was granted for the period prior to July 29, 2023. Other claims were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a medical opinion to address the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of pain medication.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from April 4, 2009, to July 9, 2015.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all issues, including increased ratings for bilateral knees and lumbar spine conditions, and entitlement to TDIU based on remaining service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and effective dates due to insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure, and issues related to ratings and TDIU.

The Board dismissed the legacy appeals regarding entitlement to service connection for right and left arm/elbow disorders, as well as denied service connection for a left wrist disorder and a left knee disorder.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder. The other claims were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left knee arthritis with limitation of extension prior to March 19, 2025, but denied a higher rating since that date and also denied a higher rating for left knee instability.

The Board denied the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for left knee meniscal tear, finding that the Veteran's range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and higher ratings for lumbar strain, right knee instability, right knee osteoarthritis, removal of cartilage of the right knee, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) to obtain additional evidence.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including the upload of medical records from Riverside Mathews Medical Center.

The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including the neck, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, and feet, as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board granted service connection for right knee bursitis and instability, left knee bursitis and strain, and hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for right knee rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis but denied service connection for impaired fertility.

The Veteran's right foot scar was granted a 10 percent disability rating from December 3, 2012, through December 19, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a dental condition, left knee condition, and left thigh/hip condition for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board remands the service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, skin cancer, and conditions of the right shoulder, left hip, left knee, and left ankle due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in failing to obtain the Veteran's service records.