Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remands the issues of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and left knee strain to correct a duty to assist error related to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings for various service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and musculoskeletal issues, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board granted service connection for non-allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claims for back pain, left knee strain, lungs breathing issue, and right wrist chronic pain were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches secondary to service-connected tinnitus and adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, but denied service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral knee pain, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and lower back pain. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and lower back pain were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board granted a separate disability rating for severe right knee instability and remanded the increased rating claim for further development.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome and cervical strain, and assigned a 30 percent rating for IBS. The claim was denied for right knee scars and other knee-related issues.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disorders, including a left elbow disorder, spine disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, to schedule VA examinations.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for OSA. The claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic headaches, chronic sinusitis, recurring diarrhea, and left knee disorder were remanded.

The Board denied increased evaluations for PTSD, left shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the LLE sciatic nerve, and strains of both knees.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage in the right knee, effective August 2, 2017, but denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with joint osteoarthritis.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbar strain, right knee scar, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee. However, a 60 percent evaluation was granted for the right total knee replacement effective July 24, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for shin splints, a respiratory disorder, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, and bilateral knee disorder as there was no evidence of current disability or nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of June 26, 2009, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits was denied because she did not have an employment handicap and was able to obtain suitable employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and chondromalacia of the left knee to ensure compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from December 11, 2013 to November 5, 2014 and from January 1, 2015 to June 7, 2021 and in excess of 30 percent from June 8, 2021 for service-connected patella tendonitis with history of Osgood-Schlatter disease of the right knee. The Board also denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent from December 11, 2013 to November 5, 2014 for dislocation of semilunar cartilage of the right knee but granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for instability of the right knee.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's arthritis of both knees is not related to an injury or disease incurred in active service and has not been caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board remands the claim for a left lower extremity condition, to include a left gluteal muscle condition, for further development including obtaining SSA records and new VA examinations.

The Board remands the matters of entitlement to increased ratings for left knee conditions due to a need for an opinion that addresses the ameliorative effects of the Veteran's medications on her left knee disability throughout the appeal period.