Knee decisions — 2025

The appeal regarding service connection for right knee keloid scars and persistent edema was dismissed due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral knee conditions, bilateral shin conditions, and lumbar back condition was dismissed as it was not timely filed.

The Board granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or that the condition is related to service.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome, meniscal tear and shin splints, but denied higher ratings for other knee conditions. Service connection was also granted for left knee radiculopathy.

The appeal was dismissed due to a formal defect related to the Veteran's concurrent election of multiple review options for the same issues.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and an increased initial rating of 30 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease with eosinophilic esophagitis, while denying increased ratings for chondromalacia patella of the left and right knees, a compensable rating for three surgical scars on the left lower extremity, major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and headaches. The Board also remanded several claims for further development.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee strain and bilateral shoulder tendonitis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder to verify whether the Veteran was in line of duty and injured his right knee during weekend drills prior to October 2018.

The Board remands the claim for a right knee disability to obtain an adequate examination and opinion, as the February 2023 VA opinion was found inadequate.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hearing loss, as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claims for service connection for various other conditions were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for left knee strain and left hip condition, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder based on new and relevant evidence, while remanding other claims related to knee disabilities.

The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to November 30, 2021, as the Veteran was not shown to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board granted disability ratings of 40 percent for right shoulder impingement syndrome, 30 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tear, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, 30 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and 30 percent for right knee patellar chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis, but not higher.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and initial disability ratings for obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and a lower back condition to schedule VA medical examinations as there is insufficient evidence of record to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee based on the evidence showing limitation of flexion to 135 degrees and extension to 5 degrees, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for back, right hip, left hip, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee, and left knee disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability and a left knee disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.