Knee decisions — 2025

The appeal regarding the propriety of the reduction in ratings for left knee instability and right hip strain with osteoarthritis was dismissed as the reductions were restored.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and denied initial ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings for various disabilities, including anxiety disorder, GERD, tinnitus, knee pain, wrist sprain, foot conditions, and scars.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome with knee strain, considering the ameliorative impact of treatment.

The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for hypertension but denied TDIU. The left knee disability claim was remanded.

The Veteran's left finger condition, to include a ring-finger scar, is granted due to an etiological relationship with his service. Other claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee strain, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and supports an onset during active service.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, including perifollicular ingrown hairs, mixed hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, type II, kidney disease, erectile dysfunction, gout, and hypertension. However, it remanded claims for readjudication of right shoulder strain/pain, right knee pain, swollen joints in the right lower extremity, lumbar spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, to include chondrocalcinosis (CPPD), calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease (CPPD), and a tibial bone fragment in the lower patellar area.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates, increased ratings, and service connection due to a lack of evidence supporting earlier dates or higher ratings.

The Board grants an effective date of January 23, 2011 for the grant of service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, various right hand disabilities, migraines, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remands the issues of increased ratings for right knee disabilities and service connection for opioid use disorder, as well as a TDIU claim, due to deficiencies in the current evidence.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including right and left elbow, knee, and scar conditions, due to deficiencies in the VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions to correct a duty to assist error, requiring an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's statements regarding in-service onset of symptoms.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability as new and relevant evidence was not received to readjudicate these claims.

The Board denied a compensable rating for acne, granted a 10 percent rating for asthma, and denied ratings greater than 10 percent for tinnitus, traumatic dislocation of septal cartilage, left wrist tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative joint disease, and left ring finger and palm surgical scarring. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for left ring finger status post DIP arthrodesis and nodule excision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right wrist strain and arthritis, as well as left knee instability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, except for persistent depressive disorder which was granted.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for stricture of esophagus, right knee disability, and denied the claim for service connection for prostate cancer. The appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus was also denied.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, and left knee strain.