Knee decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic upper respiratory infection, and residuals of shingles but granted service connection for a chronic right knee disability.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic arthritis of the right knee and denied service connection for a back disability, a right wrist disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher disability evaluations and entitlement to TDIU and DEA benefits before October 13, 2022, due to a procedural defect in the Veteran's request for review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for allergic rhinitis, a compensable evaluation for a right knee scar, and service connection for sinusitis. The claims for service connection for back disorder, foot disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder were remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of February 1, 2021, for the awards of service connection and secondary service connection for various disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent temporary evaluation for left and right knee conditions, as the evidence did not support an earlier entitlement to such ratings.

The appeal for service connection for right knee strain iliotibial band friction syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was dismissed as moot due to a full grant of benefits.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, left hand numbness, right hand numbness, type II diabetes, left foot numbness, right foot numbness, a right knee condition, a left hip condition, a right hip condition, and coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the veteran's application to readjudicate his claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and right knee condition as new and relevant evidence was not received.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right knee strain.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and right hip tendinopathy (limitation of extension) to obtain a VA opinion regarding the severity of these conditions, specifically addressing any ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's left knee disability, resulting in moderate instability, is granted a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than October 19, 2023, for the assignment of a 10 percent disability rating for right knee degenerative joint disease and remanded the claim for service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board remands the claim for a right knee disability as additional development is needed, specifically an adequate VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left upper extremity nerve condition (secondary to degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, neck condition), headaches, left knee strain, and tinnitus. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea, urinary frequency, and voiding dysfunction were remanded.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for service-connected hypertension and denied service connection for sleep apnea, while remanding several other claims including those for various disabilities related to the Veteran's low back, cervical spine, knees, gastrointestinal system, heart, fibromyalgia, PTSD, and hearing loss.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation from May 5, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder pain and dysfunction, as well as increased ratings for low back, left knee, and right knee pain and dysfunction based on the evidence of record.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 8, 2020, for the award of service connection for fibromyalgia and granted service connection for degenerative arthritis in various joints.

The appeal for service connection for a left knee disability has been withdrawn and dismissed by the Veteran.