Knee decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for several conditions but remanded others for further review.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of erectile dysfunction to correct errors in assisting the veteran's claim. The Veteran asserts that his erectile dysfunction is caused by medications he takes for his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities, as well as right and left knee disabilities. The Board will consider new evidence in the adjudication of these claims.

Service connection for the right ankle sprain and right knee strain was granted. Service connection for the left ankle condition, left knee condition, left hand condition, and left elbow condition was denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for the right hand condition, right elbow condition, right hip condition, and back condition were remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding proposed reductions in disability ratings for the veteran's right humerus, right scapula/clavicle, and left knee instability due to procedural defects. The Board remanded all other issues related to increased ratings and TDIU.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted based on the PACT Act. All other claims were either dismissed, denied, or remanded.

The Board remanded the claim for further development to address obesity as a possible intermediate step between the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request to reopen the claim for service connection of a left knee condition. The Veteran's right to de novo review by a Decision Review Officer (DRO) or traditional appeal process must be acknowledged and considered.

The Veteran's left knee disability was primarily manifested by pain and reduced range of motion, but not by flexion functionally limited to 30 degrees. The Board denied the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability prior to March 1, 2023.

The Veteran's right knee disorder has been rated as 10 percent disabling since November 20, 2006. The Board found that an initial rating in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260 is not warranted for the right knee.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted for the period from September 16, 2004, to July 5, 2023. The Board found that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records from Ft. Eustis and other facilities, as well as a need for additional VA examination opinions.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, a left knee disorder, and a respiratory disorder. The evidence did not support the claims based on in-service incurrence or exposure to toxic substances.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial ratings assigned for his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities is being remanded due to failure to comply with the Board's May 2023 remand directives.,The effective dates of the Veteran's TDIU and special monthly compensation awards are inextricably intertwined with the other issues being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, right thumb arthritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), migraines, and dermatitis of the bilateral elbows. The case is remanded for further development.,Service connection was not granted as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and meniscus condition, has been granted a 10% rating effective from April 12, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate and a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee limitation of extension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire appeal period prior to January 29, 2010. The Board granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 30 percent for left and right knee osteoarthritis, as well as separate 20 percent ratings for left and right knee instability. These decisions are effective from the date of the January 2016 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of injury to the left shoulder and remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of injury to the left knee. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.