Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and neck disabilities due to a need for VA examinations.

The appeal for a compensable rating for left knee degenerative joint disease (extension) was denied, and the appeal regarding the proposed reduction in the evaluation of lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease was dismissed.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee chondromalacia patella with instability, in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia patella with leg pain, and in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain (claimed as lower back pain) to ensure that the Veteran is afforded VA examinations that properly assess the current severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for cervical neoplasia, grade III severe dysplasia and tinnitus, while denying service connection for fatigue syndrome, scarring, status-post LEEP, and other conditions. The decision also denied initial ratings in excess of 70% for major depressive disorder and various other disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for OSA, low back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left knee pain, right knee pain, posttraumatic residual pain of the cervical and cervicothoracic regions, and radicular pain and paresthesia of the right lower extremity.

The Board granted separate disability ratings of 20 percent for right knee limited extension and instability, but denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the right knee injury with arthritic changes. For the left knee, it granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent for instability but denied increased ratings.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection and initial ratings of leg conditions, dismissing all issues.

The appeal of the issues related to right knee arthritis, meniscus, scar, and painful scar, as well as TDIU, is dismissed due to a previous Board decision in September 2025.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for left knee joint osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella to schedule a new VA examination.

The appeal for service connection for hypertensive vascular disease was dismissed, while service connection for reactive airway disease (claimed as restrictive lung disease) was granted. The appeals for sleep apnea, left knee disability, and right knee disability were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, while claims for service connection for a back disability, to include back strain; a right ankle disability; a right knee disability; and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date, as the maximum schedular rating of 100 percent for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury has been in effect since April 19, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and service connection due to untimely notice of disagreement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, with some issues being remanded.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected linear left knee scar, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board granted the appellant's eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees from past due benefits awarded in the portion of a May 2022 rating decision granting higher ratings for painful residual right foot scars and service connection for bilateral claw foot (pes cavus), but denied it for the portion granting initial ratings for right knee MCL sprain, right hip iliopsoas tendinitis, and bilateral claw foot.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbar strain with disc degeneration, left knee sprain, and hiatal hernia but granted a 20 percent rating for left ankle strain.

The Board granted service connection for multiple degenerative joint diseases of the right and left wrist, knee, shoulder, elbow, and hip, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis were granted a 10 percent rating, while service connection was denied for herpes, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and multiple foot and knee conditions.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection and other related claims, resulting in their dismissal.