Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for a left knee disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the Veteran's in-service complaints and post-service symptoms.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for left ankle status post fracture with degenerative arthritis and a 30 percent rating for bilateral foot pes planus with hallux rigidus status post foot strain, while denying an increased rating for right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claim for a new opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions, as the previous VA opinion is found to be based on an inaccurate premise.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee patellar instability, finding that the evidence did not establish the presence of the condition prior to February 7, 2021.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left index finger, left thumb, left knee, right knee, lower back, left-hand, and right-hand conditions, due to a lack of medical evidence and the need for VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a compensable disability rating for knee strain with instability, and a higher rating for major depressive disorder. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for back, bilateral hand, and bilateral knee conditions due to an error in the February 2024 decision on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for anemia, obesity, and depression. The Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective May 20, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for various conditions and DEA benefits, as no formal or informal claim was filed prior to January 18, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for left knee pain and instability, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The claim for thoracolumbar strain was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a TBI, bilateral shin splints, right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right hand neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee, and left and right hip disabilities but granted a 70% rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder from April 28, 2014 to September 15, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent disabling for chondromalacia patella, right knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee, prior to May 7, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for right leg below-the-knee amputation, left knee disability, and higher ratings for lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome. The claim for service connection for migraines was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee condition and a right hip condition, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to an in-service fall from a ladder.

The Board remands the issues for development and readjudication, including obtaining a retrospective addendum opinion on the severity of the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability based on limitation of flexion and granted a separate 10 percent rating, but no higher, for instability of the right knee. The Board also granted a separate 20 percent rating for chondromalacia patella and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee with chronic pain and recurrent episodes of locking and effusion or swelling.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities due to an inadequate medical examination.

The case is remanded for further development to address the Veteran's functional loss related to his left knee disability and to consider additional relevant evidence.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the L rate based on the need for regular aid and attendance since November 1, 2017, but denied prior to that date.