Knee decisions — 2025

The veteran's claims for a higher rating for left ovarian cyst with vaginismus, pelvic and perineal pain and increased special monthly compensation were denied. Claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis were remanded.

The Board remanded the claim for a separate rating of left knee instability because the evidence is unclear about whether there are objective findings of left knee instability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, GAD with panic attacks, and alcohol use disorder was granted. The claims for asthma, GERD, right knee degenerative arthritis, and eczema were remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for right knee joint pain, left knee joint pain, left hip arthralgia with thigh splints, gynecological disorder, human papillomavirus, stress incontinence, allergic rhinitis, and tinnitus was denied. The veteran was granted a 70% rating for posttraumatic stress disorder. The claims for service connection for neck pain and lower back pain were remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of December 9, 2021 for service connection for multiple conditions related to the veteran's knee disabilities and secondary conditions.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for various hip and knee conditions. The VA needs to correct errors in evaluating the severity of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy were denied. The claims for service connection for left hip avascular necrosis of hip status post left hip arthroplasty and right hip osteoarthritis, hip strain, and avascular necrosis were remanded.

The Board remanded all the veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in processing and a failure to obtain necessary medical records and examinations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was granted. Other claims, including those for hearing loss and various numbness/tingling issues, were remanded for further action.

The appeal for service connection of a right knee condition was dismissed because the veteran did not file the required form within one year of the rating decision.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for left knee osteoarthritis was denied. The claim for service connection for polysubstance dependence and related mental health conditions was remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The decision does not affect the right of an eligible person to take the Veteran's place to continue the appeal on the pending claims.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for right hip strain was denied. A separate rating for right hip strain (limited extension of the thigh) was granted with an effective date of March 10, 2016. The claim for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the RLE was denied. Claims for increased ratings for left knee and right hip disabilities were remanded.

The appeal for service connection for female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) was dismissed. The reduction of the disability rating for left shin splints from 10 percent to noncompensable, effective January 27, 2022, was proper; the claim is denied. A rating in excess of 10 percent for various conditions was denied. An initial 10 percent rating for chronic sinusitis was granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for right knee tendonitis and bursitis was granted. The claims for headache disorder, supraventricular tachycardia disorder, COPD, intestinal disorder, and left knee disorder were remanded.

Service connection for the veteran's left knee disability is granted. The case is remanded for further consideration of service connection for the right knee disability.

The veteran's PTSD rating is increased to 70% but not higher. The veteran also qualifies for total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the PTSD.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus was denied. The claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, back disability, right knee disability, and shin splints were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The evidence did not show that these conditions were related to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, low back, and right ankle disabilities were granted. The claim for a sleep disorder related to the low back disability was remanded.