Knee decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 13, 2018, for the award of service connection for right knee arthritis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions due to a need for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no more.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis. OSA was denied, and the PTSD rating was also denied.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD)/intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) prior to July 2, 2019, but denied a higher rating for the entire period. The other claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee joint osteoarthritis status-post ACL tear and medial meniscus tear surgical repair, but granted separate 10 percent ratings for right knee instability and symptomatic cartilage removal.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but granted an effective date of June 8, 2021, for special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon housebound status and an increased 50 percent rating for service-connected migraine headaches.

The appeal for service connection for right and left knee disabilities was dismissed due to the finality of the September 2021 Board decision.

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and effective dates, including those for tinnitus, wrist scars, lower extremity radiculopathy, bulimia nervosa, psychiatric disability, benign neutropenia, herpes II, GERD, plantar fasciitis, and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, left and right hand disabilities, lumbar degenerative disc disease, left and right knee disabilities, hypertension, coronary artery disease, headache disability, vertigo, hiatal hernia/GERD, and effective date prior to June 28, 2018, for the award of service connection for other trauma and stressor-related disorder. The Board granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent, but no higher, for other trauma and stressor-related disorder and a TDIU.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for the right knee condition from September 2, 2021, and restored a 10 percent rating for the left hip, limitation of flexion disability effective October 2, 2023.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed, while the claims for right shoulder strain, left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right elbow condition, alopecia, and an acquired psychiatric condition were readjudicated. The claim for PTSD was remanded.

The appeal for service connection for a right knee disability was dismissed due to the existence of a duplicate appeal.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion but granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for right knee limitation of extension.

The Board granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, status post total knee arthroscopy, and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, all of which were found to be caused by the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board granted service connection for right knee strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and obstructive sleep apnea based on the evidence supporting a link to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee degenerative joint disease, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for right knee arthritis, to include as secondary to lumbar spondylosis, degenerative disc disease and stenosis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board denied entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status prior to October 10, 2014, as the Veteran did not meet the threshold requirements for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).