Knee decisions — 2025

The veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for knee surgical scars were denied, but the claim for a higher rating for left knee disability was remanded.

The veteran's claims for a 100% rating for major depressive disorder and PTSD, TDIU, and special monthly compensation based on housebound status were granted.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral foot condition, migraine headaches, and right knee condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a right knee disability because the VA examinations were inadequate. The appellant will undergo a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of his condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied. All other claims were remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, anxious distress, and TBI residuals was granted an effective date of December 9, 2021. The left knee meniscal tear residuals were denied an earlier effective date.

The veteran's service connection for left knee strain and right knee strain was granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. The veteran was granted a 40% disability rating for left knee strain, limitation of extension, but the claim for a higher rating for left knee strain, limitation of flexion, was denied.

The veteran was granted a 70% rating for PTSD from March 9, 2016, to August 20, 2023, and TDIU due to PTSD. The effective date for SMC housebound benefits was set to September 11, 2018, and for diabetic dermopathy to July 29, 2014. Issues regarding the initial rating for diabetic dermopathy and higher rating for left knee disability were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for right knee limitation of flexion, a higher rating for PTSD, and total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for knee conditions, stating that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The appeal for service connection of a left knee disability was dismissed because the veteran died while the appeal was pending.

The veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities from December 28, 2003, to February 6, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, including depressive disorder, insomnia, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and loss of balance in the heels.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a left knee disability to obtain more evidence.

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back condition, including as secondary to a service-connected left knee strain. The veteran will undergo an examination to determine the cause of his back condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches was granted. The claims for left knee disability and left knee scars were remanded for further examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was granted as secondary to their service-connected PTSD. The claim for a right knee condition was remanded for further review.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. Claims for bilateral foot disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability were denied. Claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and sleep apnea were remanded.

Service connection for bilateral shin splints is denied. The claims for higher disability ratings for chronic right hip strain and chronic right knee strain are remanded for further evaluation.