Knee decisions — 2025

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for DDD with IVDS and spinal stenosis, granted a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and denied increased ratings for meniscal tear of the right knee and right knee strain based on limitation of extension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee arthroplasty status post pyogenic arthritis, finding no credible evidence that the disability began in or was due to an in-service injury.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right knee injury / pain to allow for readjudication based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for a left elbow disability and right knee disability, thus they are dismissed.

The veteran has withdrawn the appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board granted service connection for right knee patellar chondromalacia with osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right knee, left ankle, right great toe, tension headaches and hypertension disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support disability ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, right hip condition, and left hip condition as additional development is needed to address whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee osteoarthritis aggravated his left knee and both hip conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the claims for a left shoulder disability, neck strain, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), back pain, right knee injury and pain, and gastroparesis to the AOJ for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for cholesterol and granted cirrhosis of the liver in full, dismissing the appeal. The claims for earlier effective dates for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied, as was a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss. Several claims for service connection were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis based on the evidence being at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for right knee limitation of flexion and back disability, service connection for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, and periodontal disease. However, it granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety.

The claims for service connection for a right hip condition, low back condition, and left knee condition are remanded for further development.

The appeal of the proposed reductions in ratings for right and left lower leg chronic shin splints/anterior tibial tendonitis, and right and left knee mild/moderate ligament laxity was dismissed due to lack of a final decision on the issues.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for left ankle and right knee strain due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection and a compensable rating due to untimely filings or deferrals.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a need for additional medical evidence and examination.

The Board remands the service connection claims for bilateral shin pain, right foot pain, left foot disability, right knee pain, and left knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board restored a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected left knee painful scar and a 50 percent rating for left knee strain and internal derangement with decreased extension, effective April 1, 2023.