Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of left hip and left knee conditions. The Board found that VA did not obtain all relevant private treatment records before making its decisions.

The Board remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 13, 2024. The Board found that there was competent evidence suggesting the Veteran's service-connected disabilities may have rendered him unemployable during an earlier period.

The veteran's service connection for right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder is granted.

The veteran's request for a higher disability rating for tinnitus was denied. All other claims for service connection were remanded for further review.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating due to errors in the process, including the failure to hold an informal conference and questions about the qualifications of the examiners.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle and knee disorders. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence.

The veteran's service connection for several conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, left ankle disability, left foot disability, posttraumatic headaches, TBI, and dental issues, was granted. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and higher ratings for other conditions were denied.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for gallbladder removal, ingrown toenail, left knee pain, right knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and right shoulder dislocation. The Board found that the AOJ did not adequately consider the Veteran's statements regarding current symptoms, in-service events/causes, and possible continuity of symptoms.

The veteran's PTSD with TBI was rated at 100% from August 1, 2022 to March 19, 2023. The veteran also qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance. The claim for SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, including Parkinson's disease, bilateral lung condition, chronic kidney disease, urinary leakage, erectile dysfunction, GERD, heart condition, right and left knee conditions, hypertension, and TDIU.

The Board granted the veteran's appeal, restoring service connection for all claimed conditions and SMC benefits.

The veteran withdrew all pending appeals, so the Board dismissed all issues related to service connection for various conditions and rating increases.

The Board dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for bronchial asthma and denied it for left knee strain. The claims for right knee strain and right hip strain were remanded for further action.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee tendinopathy was denied. A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee meniscus tear residuals was granted.

The appeal for service connection of a right knee disability has been remanded to correct an error in the duty to assist. The Board will review new evidence and schedule an examination.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) from March 25, 2016, but the claim for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t) is remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions were denied. However, the veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for Bell's palsy and an initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and sleep apnea. Several other issues were remanded for further review.

The Board remanded all issues to obtain missing VA treatment records and translate submitted evidence.

The veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance was granted. The decision is based on the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to functional limitations from service-connected disabilities.