Knee decisions — 2025

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of extension and flexion, as well as patellar instability, is currently rated at 10 percent for the appeal period prior to November 2, 2021, and 30 percent thereafter. The claims for higher ratings are denied.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome and instability of the right knee was denied. However, the veteran was granted a rating of 10 percent from January 23, 2014, and a rating of 20 percent from January 23, 2022, for residuals of a healed right tibia/fibula fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal to restore his left knee rating to 50 percent, affirming the reduction to 30 percent.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including right hip, bilateral shoulders, back, and bilateral knees, as well as tinnitus. The Board found that VA examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these claimed disorders.

Service connection for the left shoulder, right wrist, and left knee conditions was denied. The claims for service connection for tendinosis of the right shoulder and an initial compensable rating for tension headaches were remanded.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for left knee joint osteoarthritis limitation of extension and right knee lateral instability were denied. The veteran was granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy from February 11, 2021, to October 18, 2022, but the claims for higher ratings after that date were denied.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection of lumbosacral strain, right hip strain, and right knee meniscal tear due to an invalid form submission.

The Board denied service connection for both the left knee disorder and right ankle disorder because there was no current diagnosis or evidence of a disability.

The appeal for a higher rating of the veteran's right knee condition is remanded to obtain clarification on the nature and severity of the disability.

The veteran was granted service connection for several conditions, including unspecified depressive disorder rated at 70%, tinnitus, headaches, hypertension, left and right knee conditions, and total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The claim for an earlier effective date for the depressive disorder and service connection for hearing loss were denied. Claims for GERD, bilateral eye condition, COPD, and lower back disability were remanded.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations for left knee instability, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and sesamoiditis of the right foot were denied. However, the veteran's evaluation for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was restored to 20 percent effective February 1, 2022.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations of service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee patellar tendinitis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations and lack of good cause.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and physical conditions, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The veteran is granted a 10% rating for hypertension. The claim for residuals of umbilical hernia repair is denied. The claim for service connection for a right knee condition is remanded for further examination.

The veteran's left knee disability is service-connected due to a secondary condition related to their right knee. The claims for right and left hip disabilities are being sent back for further review.

The veteran's requests for higher ratings for knee disabilities were mostly denied, but separate ratings for painful knee extension and post-meniscectomy condition were granted. The back condition claim was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating higher than 70% for PTSD and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The appeal was dismissed because the veteran died while it was pending.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disorder to include gouty arthritis was granted.