Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because he is already receiving a combined rating of 100% for his service-connected psychiatric and knee disabilities, which means he is not considered unemployable due to any single disability alone.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, foot, and back disorders. The underlying merits of these claims must be addressed by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing OSD aggravated during service and if any other right knee disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not found to be secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. The right total knee arthroplasty and left knee conditions are rated at the maximum available under VA regulations, with no further increase warranted based on current evidence. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on the issues of right total knee arthroplasty, chondromalacia of the left knee and deformity of patella, bilateral hearing loss, and limited extension of the left knee have been dismissed as moot due to a separate Board decision adjudicating these claims.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, osseous & subluxation stenosis of lumbar foramina, is granted with a rating of 40 percent effective February 9, 2024. The other service connection claims are also granted.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee conditions due to a lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board is unable to make findings on the merits of these claims at this time.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for eligibility in the PCAFC program due to insufficient evidence showing a need for personal care services, and thus denied the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hip, ankle, and knee disabilities are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected pes planus. The hearing loss disability is also not service-connected as secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee, left knee, and right shoulder conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee disability, and right knee disability. Service connection for a skin condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee and hand conditions due to insufficient medical opinions linking these conditions to service. The VA is instructed to obtain addendum opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and hand conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a lack of development and consideration of certain private treatment records, as well as VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or information regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to issues with the VA examination and incomplete records.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed all other appeals related to various joint conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Veteran's right knee disorder is being remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical strain and right knee strain are inadequate, and thus remands are necessary to obtain new, adequate opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee strains with shin splints due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities, including during flare-ups.