Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches, depression, cervical cancer, a right knee condition, and a left knee condition due to missing service treatment records and personnel files.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left knee instability, but no higher, from August 23, 2019; and granted 20 percent and 30 percent ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and extension, respectively, from the same date. The claim for a compensable rating prior to that date was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee instability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, but remanded claims for boils/cyst lower extremities/back, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disorder.

The Board granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor and considering a private opinion that linked the condition to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as there was no evidence of a current disability that warranted higher ratings or service connection.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and a higher initial rating due to an error in providing notice of the right to a hearing.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a disability manifested by fatigue, restless and achy legs, depression, anxiety, numbness in the arms, and headaches; a right knee condition; and a left knee condition due to missing records and an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded service connection claims.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to unverified periods of active duty and missing service treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for obesity and bilateral hearing loss, and remanded claims for hyperlipidemia, diabetes, GERD, hypertension, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, and right ankle disability due to secondary causes.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (l), (o), and (r-2) rates, as well as an increased rating of 10 percent for a below left knee amputation scar.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the award of a separate, initial 10 percent rating for left knee arthritis with anterior instability and service connection for a left hip disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis and a separate 30 percent or higher rating for the period from January 1, 2020, to July 23, 2025, but granted a 10 percent rating for right knee slight recurrent subluxation and lateral instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as a compensable evaluation for left knee scars.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss, granted reinstatement of a 10 percent disability rating for hypertension, and denied a compensable disability rating for dry skin of the hands. The Board also denied increased ratings for left knee strain resulting in limited flexion and extension.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for right knee arthritis with painful extension prior to March 14, 2024, and an initial 10 percent evaluation for right knee instability. The claims for increased ratings were denied after that date.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, but remanded other issues including entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder.