Knee decisions — 2025

The Veteran's PTSD with acute TBI was increased from 50% to 70%, but no higher, while other claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board granted service connection for reactive arthritis, OSA, and a left knee condition. The claims for a back condition and right wrist condition were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, but denied service connection for PTSD. The lower back disability claim was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis and degenerative disc disease (DDD), cervical spine arthritis, right foot pain causing impairment in earning capacity, and left foot pain causing impairment in earning capacity on a direct basis.

The Board denied service connection for various foot, ankle, and knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking them to the Veteran's military service. The decision also denied earlier effective dates for certain conditions and ratings.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches, effective August 21, 2012; and granted 60 percent ratings for right and left knee disabilities, also from July 22, 2021. The claims for increased ratings for the right knee scar, separate rating for the left knee scar, and a higher rating for PTSD with moderate alcohol use disorder were denied.

The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent disability rating for right knee instability, effective March 11, 2024, and an earlier effective date of May 24, 2021, for a TDIU rating. SMC aid and attendance was also granted.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and remanded the claims for a bilateral foot disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral leg disability, lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal issues, chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, skin rashes, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and dismissed the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for a TDIU as moot.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, tension headaches, and a separate 10 percent rating for RIGHT knee instability, effective October 19, 2018. The increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and neck disability due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for urinary incontinence and restored a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, while denying several other claims.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's mental health condition, including major depressive disorder. The claims for bilateral tinnitus and right knee injury were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for Lyme Disease, right knee condition, and lower back pain to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied the claims for an earlier effective date for SMC, readjudication of a left knee strain claim, and service connection for a chronic left Achilles strain.

The Board denied an effective date prior to March 16, 2023, for the award of a 10 percent rating for right knee meniscal tear osteoarthritis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and a higher rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome based on the lack of evidence showing current disabilities or that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.