Knee decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative changes and major depressive disorder with anxiety, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and a right knee condition. The claims for left knee condition, back injury, hypertension, headaches, sleep apnea, and surgical complications of pregnancy were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity (RLE) sciatica, left lower extremity (LLE) sciatica, and a right knee disability as the evidence did not support the presence of these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claims.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent, but not higher, for the Veteran's thoracolumbar back condition and separate ratings of 20 percent for right leg radiculopathy, service connection for left knee strain as secondary to the service-connected right knee strain, and service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the Veteran's left and right knee instability, as well as a 20% disability rating for erectile dysfunction. Other claims were denied.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, a left knee disorder, a right knee disorder, a left foot disorder, a right foot disorder, a painful right ring finger scar, a neck disorder, a back disorder, and a right hand disorder based on the evidence showing these conditions are etiologically related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected limitation of extension of the left knee, effective August 17, 2023. The other claims were denied.

The Board denied service connection for both left and right knee disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had their onset during active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for readjudication due to new and relevant evidence being received.

The Board remands the claims for a new VA knee examination to determine the current nature and severity of the service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as the previous examination report is found to be inadequate.

The Board remands the issues related to the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities for another attempt to schedule a VA examination due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled examinations without good cause.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, including arthritis, to obtain additional evidence and a more thorough examination.

The Board remands the claims for a new examination and opinions to allow the Board to fully adjudicate the entitlement to service connection claims for the left knee and right knee.

The Board remands multiple issues related to service connection and rating of various conditions, including migraine headaches, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, and others.

The Board grants service connection for a left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis, chondromalacia, and meniscus tear, based on the evidence showing current diagnoses and continuous symptoms since service.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions and to address any deficiencies in the previous examination report.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus was granted, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Several other claims were remanded.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder, while denying earlier effective dates and increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of a current disability or sufficient symptoms to warrant a compensable rating.