Knee decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for left and right knee strains as they are already pending in a separate appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The claims for service connection for a neck condition, back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, right foot condition, and left foot condition were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claim for a right knee condition to obtain an addendum opinion regarding its direct service connection, as the previous opinion was inadequate.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee pain, right knee pain, right ankle pain, left ankle pain, and headaches as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was remanded due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for heat stroke and increased the disability rating to 20 percent for both lower extremity radiculopathies, while denying a higher rating for cervical strain. The claims for higher ratings for knee disabilities were remanded.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 9, 2018, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The appeal for earlier effective date and initial increased evaluation for the service-connected knee conditions was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, GERD, and low back condition as secondary to his service-connected left knee conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's right little finger disability is granted a 10 percent rating, and the claims for increased ratings for his right knee osteoarthritis are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as service connection for various conditions.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for increased ratings of knee conditions, and the Board dismissed the cases.

The appeal of the proposed severance of service connection for insomnia is dismissed.,Service connection for sinus tachycardia, claimed as chest pain, was granted due to its secondary nature to PTSD and major depressive disorder with insomnia.,Service connection for a dental disability, for compensation purposes, was denied.,Service connection for a hernia disability, to include an inguinal and/or umbilical hernia, was denied.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied.,An initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis was denied.,A disability rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee disability was denied.,A disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder with insomnia was denied.,Service connection for a headache disability, as secondary to allergic rhinitis, is remanded.,Service connection for vertigo, claimed as dizziness, is remanded.,Service connection for hypothyroidism, claimed as thyroid condition, is remanded.,Service connection for a gastroesophageal disability, claimed as hiatal hernia, is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension as secondary to sleep apnea, and separate ratings for right knee meniscal tear and right ankle instability were granted. Other claims were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the in-service complaints and the current condition.

The Board denied entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for right knee total replacement, as the Veteran's right knee disability has not been manifested by chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity, limitation of extension of the leg to 30 degrees, or nonunion of the tibia and fibula with loose motion, requiring brace.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between the current disability and the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board remands the claims for higher ratings and related matters due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence demonstrated its onset during active service and has been chronic since then. Other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for further development to correct duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the rating decisions on appeal.