Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, granting an effective date of June 12, 2017, for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board granted increased ratings for left elbow olecranon bursitis, left and right knee flexion, and left knee instability, as well as service connection for depression. However, it denied increased ratings for the left elbow prior to July 19, 2022, and a compensable rating for the right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sinusitis, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities. The Veteran was also granted increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's fibromyositis of spinal muscles, including without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the right foot and right hallux degenerative joint disease, a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability, but denied an increased rating for left knee pain, chronic strain, limitation of flexion and a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for the 2021 calendar year due to the use of a left knee brace.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, but denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The back, elbow, and ankle claims were remanded.

The veteran was granted an effective date of May 2, 2019, for a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches and separate ratings for left knee meniscus tear on the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including headaches, hip and knee problems, sleep apnea, foot conditions, and psychiatric disorders, as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation and the Veteran's current symptoms were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board granted an initial increased disability rating of 20 percent for right knee joint osteoarthritis with shin splints and service connection for a low back condition.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's right knee degenerative changes and a separate rating for right knee subluxation, but denied an increased rating for spinal stenosis with IVDS and other claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for initial compensable ratings for a right knee scar and limitation of extension, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the Veteran's left thigh and left knee conditions but granted separate 10 percent ratings for limitation of flexion, left knee, and instability, left knee. The Board also granted an 80 percent rating from April 26, 2021, for left thigh amputation.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee injury and migraine headaches due to inadequate VA medical opinions, while denying readjudication of the propriety of severance of service connection for lumbar disc herniation at L5-S1 as new and relevant evidence was not submitted.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus had onset during active service and is related to in-service noise exposure. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted restoration of a 30 percent rating for right patellar valgus deformity of the right knee/leg with leg length discrepancy, and restored a 40 percent initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, and a 30 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve. The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to May 20, 2019, for service connection for bilateral foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis with left metatarsalgia.

The Board remands the case to obtain complete treatment records from the Birmingham VA for the period prior to October 2001.

The Board found that the severance of service connection for various conditions was proper due to the appellant's other than honorable discharge from active duty.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for the remaining conditions, including hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues.