Knee decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for sciatic nerve conditions and knee osteoarthritis, finding that the current disability levels did not warrant higher ratings.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder and service connection for left knee strain as secondary to the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, but remanded the claim for sinusitis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, thoracogenic scoliosis, and arthritis of the right ankle to obtain new medical opinions addressing pain and functional impairment.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for postoperative right knee injury with meniscal tear, service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a left hip condition, but remanded increased rating claims for lumbar radiculopathy and postoperative right knee injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis with patellar chondromalacia, as he does not have veteran status for VA compensation purposes.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for a lumbar disorder and an effective date of April 11, 2018, for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), while denying other claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several other issues, including TDIU and special monthly compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for the claimed conditions.

The Board granted restoration of the 40 percent disability rating for the service-connected left total knee arthroplasty, which was improperly reduced to 30 percent disabling effective August 1, 2021. The Board denied a compensable rating for the service-connected scar status post left knee replacement.

The Board granted service connection for right and left ankle, left knee, back, and tinnitus disabilities but denied service connection for a left Achilles tendon tear and right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and bilateral hearing loss, but reopened the claim for bilateral hearing loss. The appeal was remanded for further development of the left foot condition issue.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the service-connected right and left knee disabilities but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability effective July 19, 2023.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected disabilities, has aggravated his right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities were denied due to a failure to appear for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for right knee tendinitis and a 10 percent rating, and no higher, for right knee instability, effective December 11, 2024.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, to include degenerative joint disease, as the evidence did not support a finding that the condition had its onset in service or was otherwise related to his service.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee condition and a right knee condition as secondary to the left knee disability, but denied service connection for a hernia condition.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back, left hip, right knee, glaucoma, and lung disorders.

The claims for higher disability ratings and service connection are remanded for additional medical inquiry.

The Board granted ratings of 10 percent, 30 percent, and 20 percent for shin splints, left knee instability, and limitation of extension of the left knee, respectively, but denied special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.