Knee decisions — 2025

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings and service connection, resulting in the dismissal of all appeals.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left knee disabilities due to the need for a medical opinion that addresses the severity of the disability without considering the use of ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board granted ratings for several knee and back conditions, including a 10 percent rating for left knee instability from June 12, 2006, to May 31, 2023, and a 20 percent rating for right sciatic radiculopathy and left sciatic radiculopathy starting January 28, 2025.

The Board remands the matters for further development, including obtaining a retrospective VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's estimated left knee range of motion from March 31, 2010, to November 3, 2015, and from January 1, 2017, through present.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for a compensable rating for limitation of extension of the right knee, an increased rating for a torn meniscus of the right knee, and TDIU due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board denied an increased rating for the right knee degenerative joint disease prior to November 1, 2018, and granted a 60 percent disability rating from November 1, 2018, to January 16, 2023, but denied a higher rating thereafter.

The appeal of the proposed reduction in the disability rating for service-connected left and right knee degenerative arthritis is dismissed as a matter of law.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma, left knee disability, and neck disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee strain and remanded claims for back pain and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder strain, headaches, a right shoulder strain rating of 30 percent, and ratings of 20 percent each for the right knee and left knee strains. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions to correct an error in providing notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board remands the claim for a left knee disorder to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition, bilateral hearing loss, and an increased initial rating for left knee arthroscopy residuals. The claims for service connection for penile, back, right knee, and left shoulder conditions were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted from March 18, 2009.

The Board granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral compartment arthritis and right knee joint osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of all 13 issues listed in his November 2024 notice of disagreement.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, sinusitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and granted higher ratings of 40 percent each for thoracolumbar spine disability, radiculopathy in the left lower extremity, and headaches.

The Board denied entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for gastrointestinal problems and service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the back. The claims for other conditions were remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to a duty to assist error, as the Veteran was not properly notified of his scheduled examinations.