Knee decisions — 2025

The Veteran's service-connected left knee replacement was granted a 100 percent disability rating from November 1, 2023, to January 26, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, to include as secondary to a left knee sprain. The appeal was also remanded for further development of the claims for erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity and denied increased ratings for the left knee disability, as well as service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal for service connection for a left knee condition was dismissed due to an administrative error where the same issue was docketed under different docket numbers.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension was dismissed, while the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral pes planus, left foot cuts, right foot cuts, fibromyalgia, left knee osteoarthritis, a right knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for total right and left knee replacements due to degenerative arthritis, which was presumed to have been incurred during the Veteran's active military service.

The Board granted an effective date of September 1, 2021, for service connection for the Veteran's thoracic spine, cervical spine, right foot, painful scar, status-post varicocele surgery, left lower abdomen, right knee, bilateral tinnitus, and right lower extremity neuropathy disabilities.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis in the right and left knee (flexion) but denied a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis in the right and left knee (extension).

The Board granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, a right knee disability (secondary to the left knee), and left and right elbow disabilities. It also granted an initial rating of 100 percent for a psychiatric disorder from November 16, 2021, and special monthly compensation.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and continued. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left and right knee instability, but denied compensable ratings for the limitation of extension in both knees. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for TDIU, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or a more favorable effective date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and lumbosacral strain were denied due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee arthritis and right elbow arthritis was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The appeal for a higher rating for the right knee disability is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral shin splints, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for hand rash, vision loss based on refractive error, and lumbar spine disability, among other conditions. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for right knee limitation of extension.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for left knee instability and lateral meniscal tear with left knee strain, status post meniscectomy, to correct an inadequate VA examination and obtain private medical records.

The Board remands the claim for a right knee condition to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's theory that his in-service injuries weakened his knee, making it vulnerable to later injury.

The Board granted increased ratings for PTSD, right knee flexion limitation, and symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.