Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for a fully adequate examination of the Veteran's left knee, including an estimate of range of motion with repeated use over time without the ameliorating effects of medication.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, depression, and a left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone is found to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the statutory housebound criteria.

The Board remands the claims for a bilateral knee disorder and a neurological disorder of the bilateral lower extremities to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left knee, right ankle, and left ankle degenerative arthritis to obtain further medical opinions regarding whether these conditions pre-existed service and, if not, whether they are related to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board granted an evaluation of 20 percent, but not in excess thereof, from February 13, 2009 to February 28, 2017 for left knee arthritis manifested by dislocation of the semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking' pain and effusion into the joint. The Board also granted an evaluation of 10 percent, but not in excess thereof, from February 28, 2017 to January 7, 2018 for left knee instability.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, a mid/lower back disability, a right knee disability, a neck disability, a left shoulder disability, a left hip disability, a right hip disability, and migraine headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion for revision of an April 1989 rating decision, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the assignment of noncompensable disability ratings for right and left knee conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities to obtain a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran is entitled to a temporary 100 percent rating for left total knee replacement from May 5, 2023, through October 31, 2023.

The Board granted the restoration of a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected left knee fracture disability, effective November 1, 2023.

The Board remands the claim for a left knee disability to ensure an adequate medical examination is provided.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and multiple musculoskeletal disorders.

The appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia patella with limitation of flexion and a separate compensable rating for left knee limitation of extension were dismissed due to procedural defects.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from May 13, 2022 to May 2, 2023 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a right leg disorder, diagnosed as right knee medial meniscus tear and osteoarthritis, and chronic right ankle pain and stiffness.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence supports the conclusion that it was at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 2, 2022, but not earlier, for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted. The claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities are denied.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all issues, including service connection and rating appeals.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a left knee disability due to improper docketing, while remanding claims for lower extremity neuropathy and restless leg syndrome for further development.