Knee decisions — 2025

The Board granted an effective date of May 20, 2020, for the 50 percent evaluation of left knee osteoarthritis and basic eligibility for DEA benefits.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability based on in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection, as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, finding a relationship to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of January 6, 2022, for assignment of a TDIU was granted.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service duties.

The appeal of the proposed rating reduction for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was dismissed due to it not being a final decision upon which an appeal may be initiated. The claim for service connection for left knee disability is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bowel inconsistency, restrictive food intake disorder, a bilateral ankle condition, a neck disorder, and a heart disorder as the evidence does not reflect that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of these disorders. The claim for PTSD due to military sexual trauma was denied based on the lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board remands the claims for a skin disorder and right knee disorder to obtain additional evidence, as the current VA examinations are found to be inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for a thoracic spine disability as secondary to the service-connected ankle disabilities and remanded the claims for right and left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and a higher disability rating, as well as remanded claims related to CUE in prior decisions.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for left and right knee strain and degenerative arthritis, as well as bilateral hearing loss, due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, but denied increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndromes, tinnitus, and other knee conditions. The claim for service connection for fecal incontinence was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left knee disability and low back disability to correct a duty to assist error, requiring VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disorder, diagnosed as right knee strain with partial thickness tear distal semimembranosus tendon, on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee and ankle conditions, as well as scars, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition, as it failed to obtain an opinion regarding whether the right knee condition was caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for right knee degenerative arthritis and a 20 percent rating for right knee patellar instability, effective from April 25, 2023, while denying service connection for hypertension and increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD with hiatal hernia and hypertension, as new and relevant evidence has been received. The claims for allergic rhinitis, sinus condition, ankle gout, recurrent left shoulder dislocation, and right knee disability are denied as no new and relevant evidence was submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear, right knee strain, and right hydrocele as there was no evidence of extension limitation greater than 10 degrees or other symptoms that would warrant a compensable rating.