Knee decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for tension headaches and low back condition as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder, and granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder. Several foot and other disabilities were remanded for further evidence.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), as well as his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical strain, lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, knee strains, psychiatric disorders, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, shoulder disabilities, breathing disability, foot disability, headache disability, and joint disability, to provide the Veteran an additional opportunity for examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection for various conditions, as the claims were not filed within one year of the prior final denials.

The Board remands the claim for an increased initial rating for degenerative arthritis, right knee, as the previous VA examination did not adequately address the Veteran's reported pain, flare-ups, and functional impairments.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various left lower extremity disabilities and a TDIU, as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement due to a duty to assist error regarding an inadequate examination report.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of both knees, bronchitis, plantar fasciitis of both feet, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and PTSD. The low back condition was remanded for further action.

The Board remands the claims for further clarification and examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability and the etiology of his cervical strain.

The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction results in a diminishment of the ability of his creative organ to function, warranting special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1114(k).

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of lumbosacral strain, left knee instability with osteoarthritis, left knee limitation of flexion, left knee limitation of extension, and right shoulder bursitis, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tendonitis, and repair as the VA examinations are found to be inadequate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and bilateral knee conditions but granted separate 10 percent evaluations for left and right knee instability.

The appeal was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election of administrative review options.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied it for sinusitis. Other claims were remanded for further development.

The appeal with respect to the propriety of a proposed reduction in the rating for bilateral flat feet was dismissed, and the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for right knee disability based on limitation of extension was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to a lack of service-connected disabilities meeting the criteria necessary for such benefits.

The Board remands the claims for higher initial evaluations of service-connected lumbar, right shoulder, headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), right knee, and right hip conditions due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for multiple musculoskeletal disabilities, including left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee joint osteoarthritis, right big toe osteoarthritis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease with cervical stenosis, and thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral spine spondylosis, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability based on the Veteran's consistent claim that his current condition had its initial onset in service, supported by medical evidence.