Knee decisions — 2025

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for left wrist tendinitis and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as service connection for PTSD and shin pain, were denied. Claims for service connection for other conditions were remanded.

Service connection for tinnitus and left heel spur was granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral foot disorder other than service-connected bilateral pes planus and left heel spur, and a bilateral leg disorder other than service-connected bilateral knee strains was denied.

The Board granted some issues, denied others, and remanded several for further development. The veteran's ratings for onychomycosis and GERD were restored to 30 percent. Effective dates for service connection for right shoulder surgical scars and lumbar spine surgical scar were granted. Several other issues were denied or dismissed.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a left finger disability with scarring was denied. The claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, back disability, and disabilities of the knees and ankles were remanded.

The Board remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's right knee replacement prior to September 20, 2023. The Board also took jurisdiction over the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board dismissed claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings for several conditions. Some issues were remanded for further review.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for adjustment disorder and lumbar spine disability was denied. The veteran was granted a 20% rating for right hip limitation of flexion starting December 3, 2021, and the reduction in the left hip limitation of flexion rating was reversed.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied the appeals for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus, right anterior shoulder scar. The other issues were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's right knee disability, finding no evidence that it was incurred during or related to his active service.

Service connection for asthma and COPD is granted. Other issues, including headaches, knee disability, muscle pain/tendinitis, erectile dysfunction, and lumbar disability, are remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for erectile dysfunction, right wrist surgery, right wrist surgical scar, and right knee osteoarthritis were also denied. However, the reduction in the disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was restored to 20 percent.

The Board remands the claims for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and TDIU due to insufficient examination compliance with certain legal requirements.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions and a higher rating for the left ankle disability.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher ratings for service-connected right and left knee strain due to arthritis and painful motion. The Board will secure updated medical records and arrange for a new VA examination.

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disability, to include as due to service-connected bilateral pes planus. The Board directed the VA to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for hypothyroidism was denied. The veteran was granted an effective date of January 4, 2022, for several other conditions.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection for various conditions were mostly denied. However, the claims for allergic rhinitis and asthma were remanded for further consideration.

The veteran's PTSD alone renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied, but the claim for a higher rating for right knee osteoarthritis was remanded for further evaluation.