Knee decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a headache condition and assigned a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, while denying increased ratings for the low back condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The obstructive sleep apnea and right knee conditions were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral elbow condition and a bilateral knee condition, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began in or were related to active service.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee strain with degenerative changes and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for further development.

The Board granted service connection for left knee tendinopathy and remanded the claim for bilateral pes planus due to a duty to assist error.

The appeal for direct payment of fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 2024 Rating Decision was dismissed as the funds were disbursed to the Veteran.

The Board remands the case for an additional examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left knee disorder that may be present.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and left shoulder disability to obtain an adequate examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for right knee strain and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back pain, left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, and a surgery scar on the lumbar region.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, service connection for various conditions, and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The appeal for service connection for various conditions was dismissed due to the Veteran submitting the NOD more than one year after the rating decision and not requesting an extension.

The Board granted service connection for dermatosis and denied the claims for service connection for a chronic cervicothoracic pain disability, right shoulder disability, PTSD, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, ED, sleep apnea, left ulnar pain, right ulnar pain, left ring finger disability, right ankle surgery residuals with residual status post achilles enthesophyte excision, left knee disability, right knee disability, right wrist strain, and headaches.

The Board granted service connection for dermatosis and denied the claims for service connection for a chronic cervicothoracic pain disability, right shoulder disability, PTSD, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, ED, sleep apnea, left ulnar pain, right ulnar pain, left ring finger disability, right ankle surgery residuals with residual status post achilles enthesophyte excision, left knee disability, right knee disability, right wrist strain, and headaches.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and a right knee condition as the evidence did not support that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence to support a diagnosis or onset of the claimed conditions during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a neck scar and left knee scars, but remanded claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn the appeals for service connection and rating claims, and they are hereby dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder with depression (GAD), and a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The claims for service connection for chronic left knee pain, chronic right knee pain, low back pain, neurogenic erectile dysfunction, onychomycosis, and pain and dysfunction of the right shoulder were remanded.

The appeal for service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and migraine headaches has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected knees. The effective date for the grants of service connection and initial ratings are set at December 7, 2018, with some ratings increased.