Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, back disability, and various peripheral neuropathies, render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities independently. The Board found that the evidence was in balance, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, granting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's right elbow lateral epicondylitis, chronic rhinitis, right knee strain (limitation of flexion), painful scar from hernia repair, hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity hypoesthesia and paresthesia, left lower extremity hypoesthesia and paresthesia, left knee disorder, and migraine including variants are all granted. The Veteran's service connection for these conditions is established based on direct evidence or presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder tendonitis, cervical strain, chondromalacia patella right knee, lumbar degenerative disc disease with strain, episodes of locking left knee, left knee degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia patella status-post surgery, and limitation of extension left knee, have rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 15, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right and left knees, finding that it is at least as likely as not that these conditions developed due to the Veteran's active military service.,No new evidence or exposure basis was provided in this decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for irritable bowel syndrome was granted. The claims for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees are remanded.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being issued.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for any of the claimed conditions, and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, shoulder, nerve condition disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that her current diagnosis and in-service complaints meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted the petition to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and remanded both the right and left knee issues due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims are now pending for further development.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any ankle or knee conditions during his active duty. The Veteran has provided no medical evidence of current diagnoses for these conditions.,There is conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee condition, with a private treatment record noting pain after a fall in 2017 and other records indicating no prior symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 12, 2023 was denied. The reduction in disability ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy from 20% to 10% were found not proper and restored the original ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right eye disabilities have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for low back disability (other than scoliosis) and right and left knee conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee pain, finding that there is no persuasive evidence to support a link between his current knee conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn.,The Board is remanding the claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, a left knee condition, a right elbow condition, asthma with chest pain, map dot fingerprint dystrophy, and heat stroke residuals due to potential exposure to burn pits during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a right knee disability, as there are issues with the examination provided and potential secondary service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance at the 38 U.S.C. � 1114(n 1/2) rate, but no higher, prior to January 25, 2019 and from March 1, 2019, due to his service-connected depressive disorder alone causing him to be in need of regular aid and attendance.