Knee decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain and remanded several other claims related to service connection for various conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability and remanded the claims for other left lower extremity radiculopathies, foot, ankle, leg, and back disabilities.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection of left and right knee conditions due to an impermissible concurrent election.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee condition and a left knee condition, resolving doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a current disability or symptoms thereof. The claim for a neck disability was remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits granted in a March 2022 Board decision, as A.J. did not represent the Veteran through the date of the decision awarding benefits.

The appeal for an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis was dismissed due to an improper opt-in to the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Board granted initial disability ratings of 30 percent for right and left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion, a 20 percent rating for right knee dislocation of semilunar cartilage, and 10 percent ratings for right and left knee instability, effective from March 16, 2016.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right ankle strain on a direct basis. The Board also granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, while remanding the claims for service connection for other disabilities and an initial rating for left foot pes planus.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for a clothing allowance for the year 2023 due to use of right and left knee braces, but dismissed his claims for the same in 2024 as no claim was filed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded the claim for service connection for psychiatric disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back and neck conditions, as well as service connection for major depressive disorder, left knee condition, and right knee condition.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the assignment of a separate compensable rating for instability of the left and right knees, but denied a higher rating for tinnitus and remanded claims for increased ratings for degenerative changes in the great toes.

The Board granted service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder and remanded the increased rating claims for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU, as well as DEA eligibility, due to a need for additional medical evidence regarding the effects of medication on range of motion and functional impairment.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for multiple arthritic conditions as further development is needed.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and low back disability, but denied service connection for a prostate disability, left ear hearing loss, and left knee disability.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and opinions to address whether the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service or VA treatment.