Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for a nerve disability of the right upper extremity and a right knee disability to obtain additional medical opinions that consider all relevant evidence, including lay statements regarding etiology.

The appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims were dismissed due to a prohibited concurrent election under the modernized review system.

The Board denied a rating higher than 40 percent for the Veteran's right knee limitation of extension.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bladder problems with frequent urination and left knee weakness and pain due to untimely Notice of Disagreement (NOD). The appeal regarding special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities as secondary to the service-connected left great toe fracture.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine, degenerative changes of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no evidence to support a current diagnosis or a link to active service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, a migraine headache disorder, and bilateral tinea pedis as they were not proper appeals under the Appeals Management Act appellate system.

The appeal for an increased rating for a low back condition was denied, while the claims for service connection for bilateral knee, cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral wrist conditions were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as there was no evidence of an in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and a right shoulder disorder as there was no evidence of these conditions during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection and denied increased ratings, as there was no evidence supporting a diagnosis of TBI, adiposity-based chronic disease, or carpal tunnel syndrome related to service. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed due to a previous grant of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chondromalacia of the left knee, GERD, and chondromalacia of the right knee due to failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, to include foot drop, as well as a left knee disability due to the lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a nexus to military service.

The appeal for service connection and initial rating for various conditions was dismissed due to the submission of a duplicate Notice of Disagreement.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, but denied higher ratings and separate ratings for other knee and thumb disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for back disability manifested by pain, left shoulder tendinitis, right knee disability manifested by pain, left knee disability manifested by pain, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability as further development is needed.

The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches, while denying other claims.

The Board granted an effective date of August 4, 2022, for the award of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board granted service connection for left knee pain and a back disorder, but denied service connection for a kidney disorder.