Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disabilities due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for additional information regarding flare-ups and medication effects.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and a compensable rating for further development, including scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including right and left hip, elbow, ankle, knee, wrist, and lower back conditions, based on the Veteran's in-service trauma.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, acne keloidalis nuchae with painful scarring, left knee disability, and left and right shin splints.

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

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and assistance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the service-connected right knee arthritis with right shin splints, instability, meniscal disability, and surgical scars, as well as earlier effective dates for these conditions.

The Board granted an increased rating of 60 percent for left lower extremity PVD status post loss of use and below knee amputation.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an extension of time to file a Board Appeal request, dismissing the attempted appeals.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability based on the Veteran's in-service complaints and ongoing symptoms.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, specifically to obtain addendum medical opinions assessing the severity of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and right knee in terms of functional loss with weight bearing and passive motion.

The Veteran's right knee condition was denied a higher rating for limitation of extension and flexion prior to September 16, 2025, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion from that date. The Veteran also received a separate 10 percent rating for instability.

The Board remands multiple issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions for further development and adjudication.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the left elbow based on limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee instability, but denied other claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and thoracolumbar spine disability for further development, including obtaining new VA medical opinions to address outstanding questions of nexus.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee limitation of flexion as the evidence did not indicate left knee flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), variously diagnosed as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and panic disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and a left knee condition, as the evidence did not show a medical nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted a rating of 20%, but no greater, for left knee disability based on limitation of flexion from February 21, 2025, and a rating of 20%, but no greater, for left knee disability with instability prior to December 7, 2023. A TDIU was granted effective April 8, 2019.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for the Veteran's back scar and remanded issues related to increased ratings for lumbar spine, left knee, and radiculopathy disabilities.