Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea to ensure compliance with the duty to assist by obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board remands all claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board granted initial disability ratings of 30 percent for bilateral knee chondromalacia patella with limitation of flexion and separate disability ratings of 10 percent, but no higher, for bilateral knee instability. The claim for a compensable rating for right knee chondromalacia patella with limitation of extension was denied.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as there is sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board remands all service connection claims for further development, including making efforts to obtain VA treatment records from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

The Board granted service connection for a chronic right wrist disability and an initial 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), while denying service connection for otitis media and other claims.

The Board denied service connection for a right and left knee condition, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service or his service-connected shin splints.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. The service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded.

The Board remands the matter for a new examination or opinion to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee condition is related to his active service.

The appeal for eligibility for benefits under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA's) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers is remanded due to an AOJ error in satisfying a regulatory and statutory duty.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ear disorder and remanded the remaining issues for further development.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board remands the claim for a right knee disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including failing to obtain relevant treatment records and provide a VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of left knee osteoarthritis, right knee strain, and entitlement to TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding instability in both knees.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities to correct duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the August 15, 2024, rating decision.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including atrial fibrillation and irritable bowel syndrome, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not scheduling VA examinations when the Veteran was available.

The Board granted service connection for the left elbow, low back, and right knee conditions but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension.

The Board remands the claim for a right knee disability to correct a duty to assist error, as the previous medical opinions are found inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied it for left ear hearing loss, while remanding claims for right ankle disability, right knee disability, and back disability.