Knee decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a need for a new VA medical opinion that adequately addresses the Veteran's lay statements of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board remands the claim for a medical addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's right knee pain is aggravated by his service-connected left knee strain.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and knee degenerative joint diseases were granted increased ratings to 40 percent. Service connection for the knee conditions was also granted as secondary to his back and leg disabilities.

The proposed reductions of the veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia ratings were dismissed as there was no final rating action taken, and the disabilities remained rated at 40 percent during the applicable period.

The appeals for severance of service connection and increased disability ratings were dismissed, while the appeal for a right knee condition was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, including spinal arthritis of the neck and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the neck/upper back. However, tinnitus was granted, and a 20% rating was assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for further development, specifically to obtain relevant Social Security Administration records.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the right calf scar and a TDIU, but denied increased ratings for various conditions.

The Board granted an effective date of September 16, 2021, for the grant of service connection for left knee limitation of extension and a 30 percent rating for right ankle ankylosis. The appeal was denied for earlier effective dates for other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and several claims were remanded for further development.

The appeal is remanded for further development and compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral knee, hip, shoulder, and ankle disorders as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, except for a 30 percent rating for GERD.

The Board granted an August 14, 2009 effective date for the assignment of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l).

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support that these conditions were incurred in or caused by an in-service injury.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and diabetes due to a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including IBS, gingivitis, myocarditis, abnormal heart (irregular heartbeat), muscle pain right hip flexors, muscle pain back, right knee disability, and exposure to hantavirus. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis of any of the claimed disabilities during the course of this appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, his right knee meniscal tear did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his left knee strain was not secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and left knee patellar instability and patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis and osteophytes, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety and a higher rating for PTSD, but remanded claims for diabetes mellitus, skin markings from toxic exposure, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder.