Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as a chronic left knee disorder and left knee strain, is granted as service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and requires a new examination of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during active service or is related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for this condition is granted.,His low back disability, initially incurred during his first period of active service and exacerbated by a fellow servicemember jumping on his back during IDT, is found to be related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, migraines, cervical spine disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability. However, no new evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, or any other musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active military service.

The Veteran's disability ratings for left knee ankylosis and lumbar degenerative disc disease were reduced, but the reductions are being remanded due to procedural issues.,The reduction in the rating for left knee ankylosis from 50% to non-compensable was improper.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the claims for service connection involving right hip strain, left hip condition, left knee chronic pain, stiffness, and swelling, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, including degenerative arthritis with instability and limited flexion, are rated at the maximum available under VA regulations. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings based on additional functional loss or other factors.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, bilateral pes planus, left foot status post ORIF, left knee strain, and low back disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for degenerative arthritis and granted a separate rating of 30 percent for patellar instability, effective from the date of the August 2023 decision.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of limitation in range of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, bilateral elbow and knee disorders, headaches (including migraines), and visual impairment are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected right ankle, knee, thumb, little finger, index finger, long finger disabilities, scars, and PTSD have been dismissed.,No new or material evidence was received within one year of the notice of decision.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for the Veteran's back condition, bilateral knee conditions, and left shoulder bicipital tendonitis.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted are inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar and left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were incurred during his active service.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is being restored to a 10% disability rating.,Service connection for IBS has been granted.,Claims for service connection related to right knee, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities are being readjudicated.,Claims for service connection related to skin disabilities of the feet are also being readjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis but has remanded the case to obtain a medical opinion on the Right Knee Condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the retrieval and consideration of relevant medical records from the Conroe VA Community Based Outreach Clinic (CBOC). The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from negligent treatment at the VA Medical Center.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder, knee and foot disorders. Service connection was denied for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and sleep disorder.