Knee decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for COPD and service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, hiatal hernia, gastrointestinal disorder, systemic lupus erythematosus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and bilateral foot disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for migraines and lumbosacral strain due to untimely appeals. The claims for knee degenerative arthritis, lower extremity radiculopathy, and chronic pain syndrome were denied as there was insufficient evidence linking them to active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or disease. The claim for service connection for a left knee disability was remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability with total knee replacement surgery is granted, while other conditions are denied.

The appeal of the April 19, 2023, rating decision denying service connection for a right knee disability was dismissed due to an improper concurrent election.

The appeal concerning the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and a right knee disability is dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee conditions due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for dry mouth, allergies, and increased ratings for BPPV, chronic constipation, right hip degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative arthritis. The claims for erectile dysfunction, migraine headaches, and tailbone pain were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and migraine headaches, but denied service connection for right knee strain.

The Board granted the restoration of a 10 percent disability rating for right knee subluxation and a 20 percent disability rating for painful scar, right knee, while denying an increased rating for the painful scar. The issues related to headaches, extension of the right knee, TDIU, and further increases in ratings were remanded.

The Board vacated its November 30, 2023 decision and remanded several claims for further development.

The Board granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence was in relative equipoise regarding whether the symptoms and manifestations of the Veteran's knees originated during service and eventually manifested as her current knee osteoarthritis.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, granted a 20 percent rating for left knee instability prior to February 7, 2021, and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent from that date. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from September 1, 2024.

The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain and in excess of 20 percent for right knee instability, to include a compensable rating earlier than November 30, 2021, due to a need for additional evidence.

The Board denied increased ratings for hypertension, right knee total arthroplasty, and disorder of the sacrum based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral visual impairment, finding no current disability. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, to include arthritis, as the evidence does not support a finding that it is related to active service or secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied readjudication of the claims for service connection for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis as new and relevant evidence was not submitted.

The Board granted service connection for insomnia disorder and increased the disability ratings for migraine including migraine variants and right knee strain, while denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of a 100 percent rating for acquired psychiatric disability and DEA, as well as higher ratings for tinnitus and service connection for various conditions due to lack of evidence supporting such claims.