Knee decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis status-post total left knee replacement, and residual scar of the left knee as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD, IBS, migraine headaches, a right shoulder disorder, and a right knee disorder as further development is needed.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia disorder effective March 27, 2024, but dismissed any higher ratings or earlier effective dates for the right knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches were granted a rating of 50 percent, and she was also granted TDIU, DEA, and SMC for the period from March 27, 2017, to August 20, 2017.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for ADHD and spondylolisthesis, cervical spinal stenosis, and neck strain as they were not ripe for review. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shin splints and left knee osteoarthritis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted a temporary total disability evaluation for the Veteran's left knee following implantation of prosthetic replacement, and remanded the claim for a higher rating.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and joint disorders due to a need for additional evidence and an adequate VA examination.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and ratings for various conditions, including PTSD, based on the Veteran's intent to file a claim submitted in February 2023.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left knee and low back disability to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right knee, right hand, left knee, right ankle, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury due to untimely appeals or lack of evidence supporting current disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea, and denied a compensable evaluation for a left knee scar. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cluster headaches, and increased ratings for the left knee, back, GERD, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, left shoulder bicipital tendon tear, hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis with facet arthropathy and lumbosacral strain, right hip strain with osteoarthritis, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, left and right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (to include iliotibial band syndrome), and chronic right wrist sprain were denied. The Board also granted an effective date of July 7, 2023 for the award of increased ratings.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and right knee osteoarthritis, but denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right hand degenerative arthritis, left hand degenerative arthritis, left shoulder subdeltoid bursitis (claimed as degenerative arthritis), right shoulder strain (claimed as degenerative arthritis), major depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and lumbosacral spine conditions but granted service connection for right hip and left hip osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right anterior superior iliac spine avulsion fracture.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome and knee strain with knee joint osteoarthritis of the right knee, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), degenerative disc disease (DDD), and lumbosacral strain due to errors in the duty to assist.

The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for GERD with colon cancer, effective December 1, 2024, as it found no actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal to restore a 30% rating for his right knee disability and also denied an increased rating in excess of 10%.

The claims for service connection for cervical strain, back condition, bilateral knee condition, and left humerus bone tumor are remanded due to the need for further clarification of the Veteran's service dates and outstanding medical records.

The Board granted service connection for a GI disability and left knee disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.