Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as the November 2023 TERA opinions are inadequate.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities other than traumatic brain injury (TBI) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including an abdominal tear, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee disability, right hamstring tendonitis, and a right hip strain, as there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries, diseases, or events related to these conditions.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including additional VA examinations and medical opinions to address theories of entitlement that were not acknowledged by the AOJ.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD with panic attacks, but remanded the issues regarding knee ratings.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of both knees and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis with left heel spur, as well as the TDIU claim, to obtain further evidence.

The Board granted service connection for left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, back, psychiatric (anxiety neurosis), and sleep apnea disabilities. The claim for a schedular disability rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines was denied.

The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was dismissed due to a procedural defect. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted a maximum rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's left total knee replacement from January 1, 2019, and a 70 percent rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder starting from January 17, 2018.

The Board remands the claims for higher initial ratings and TDIU due to incomplete evidence of record.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left knee osteoarthritis, and left ankle sprain, while denying service connection for hypertension. The Board also granted an initial 20% rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome but denied compensable ratings for bilateral pinguecula and a right ring finger disability.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder strain and left knee strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder strain and right knee strain, respectively. The Board also granted an evaluation of 30 percent for right knee strain, limitation of flexion, from July 19, 2022, and a 50 percent evaluation for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood from July 14, 2022.

The Board granted restoration of a 60 percent disability rating for the service-connected right knee replacement residuals effective October 17, 2020, and denied an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. A TDIU was also granted from August 28, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and left hip osteoarthritis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise related to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability as the evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or earlier effective date.

The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder for a VA examination.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee pain was dismissed due to the lack of a final decision subject to appeal.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for other conditions due to a lack of evidence.

The Board granted service connection for left knee disability, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.