Knee decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied it for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The remaining claims for various other conditions were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for left wrist strain, right wrist strain, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition as secondary to service-connected lupus. Service connection was also granted for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis as secondary to psoriasis.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, lower back disorder, and respiratory disorder as untimely and lacking proper appeal procedures.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee chronic gouty arthritis, right knee chronic gouty arthritis, and left ankle lateral ligamentous laxity. The claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as earlier effective dates, were denied.

The Veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 10, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for left knee strain status-post meniscectomy and restored the 20 percent rating for right knee strain status-post meniscectomy, effective May 12, 2022. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for right knee painful flexion from November 29, 2021, and denied a higher rating.

The appeals for increased ratings for back and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, were dismissed due to the failure to validly opt-in to the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) appeal system.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, a left leg disability, a left foot disability, a left knee disability, and a right knee disability to the AOJ for further development.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder due to an inadequate VA examination that failed to address the Veteran's reported symptoms and functional impact of his condition.

The appeal for service connection for multiple conditions was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, but denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and remanded several other conditions for further review.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for left knee tendonitis with limitation of extension and flexion, but denied an earlier effective date for left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for various knee and hip conditions, as well as granted a rating of 10 percent from June 16, 2022, for right knee instability.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including ankle pain, chronic lower back pain, GERD, hair thinning/loss, IBS, and others, as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including GERD, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability, and multiple musculoskeletal and other conditions, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various knee and foot conditions, including painful scars from surgery, as a medical opinion regarding their etiology is needed.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer, service connection for osteoarthritis of both knees, pseudophakia (claimed as vision), and entitlement to TDIU due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the Veteran's 60 percent rating for chronic residuals of total arthroplasty, left knee and 0 percent rating for left knee surgical scar associated with total arthroplasty, left knee from August 19, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and sciatic radiculopathy disabilities but denied increased ratings for the psychiatric disorder and other conditions.

The Board remands the claims for higher ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome to correct a duty to assist error.