Knee decisions — 2025

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's untimely submission of a Notice of Disagreement (VA Form 10182) for issues related to service connection for a low back disability and left knee disability, as well as a non-compensable rating for residuals of fracture to nose.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for right knee strain with instability and an initial 10 percent rating for the surgical scar of the back, but denied a higher rating for right knee strain with limitation of motion.

The Board denied initial ratings for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the criteria for limitation of motion.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, which more closely approximates dislocation of semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of joint 'locking,' pain, and effusion.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, assigning separate ratings based on instability, painful motion, and limitation of flexion.

The Board remands the claim for a right knee disorder, to include right knee arthroscopy, as an examination is necessary to determine its etiology.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board granted the appeal to restore the 10 percent rating for right knee meniscal tear and denied the appeal to restore the 20 percent rating for right patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, as the evidence did not show that it began during active service or was otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50 percent rating, and the right eyebrow scar is granted a separate 10 percent rating for pain. The other service connection claims are remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and a right shoulder condition to obtain VA examinations to determine their nature and etiology.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board restored the 20 percent disability rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee and left knee strain, effective December 21, 2021, as there was no evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various bilateral joint disorders as a VA examination is necessary to determine their etiology.

The Board restored the 10 percent rating for cervicitis, denied increased ratings for knee and GERD conditions, and denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea with asthma and COPD. The TDIU claim was remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected low back strain and thoracolumbar spine multilevel osteoarthritis, granted new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claim for service connection for a sinus condition, and remanded claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee conditions, and a sinus condition.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence supports a direct link between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis and remanded claims for service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The appeal was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent, duplicative review election under the Appeals Modernization Act.