Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection were granted.,A rating of 10 percent was assigned for psoriatic arthritis of the right elbow.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a remand is necessary to determine if it warrants a higher evaluation. Additionally, the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim for right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee scar is being remanded for a new examination to determine its current severity.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of sinusitis and to readjudicate left and right knee disabilities due to the appellant's withdrawal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension, left knee strain, and right knee disability were all granted initial ratings. The hypertension was granted a 10% rating, the left knee strain received a 10% rating, and the right knee disability received a 30% rating.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for earlier effective dates and higher initial ratings, leaving only the issues of service connection unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 1, 2022.,The Veteran is now eligible for Dependent's Education Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 from the same period.

The Board has determined that the decision denying eligibility for PCAFC was not legally adequate due to an insufficient medical opinion, and therefore remanded the case.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral knee and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to parachute jumps during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues of left ankle, knee, shoulder, hip, lower back, and neck pain are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 12, 2021 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation at any point during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to his service-connected OSA with asthma and bronchitis, left knee osteoarthritis and synovitis, right knee meniscal tear, osteoarthritis, synovitis post arthroscopy, limitation of flexion in both knees, and right knee meniscal tear, osteoarthritis, synovitis post arthroscopy, limitation of flexion were remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted effective August 6, 2009. The effective date is based on the establishment of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding examinations that were not conducted as scheduled. The Veteran's complaints during service are noted and will be evaluated by the examiners.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted an initial rating of 30 percent effective April 23, 2024. The claim for earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left knee instability and limitation of extension were dismissed as the July 2020 rating decision was not an initial decision under the AMA, and the Veteran did not submit a VA Form 10182 within the specified period.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Persistent Depressive Disorder with Mild Alcohol Use Disorder and his service-connected Right Knee Strain, Left Ankle Strain, and Right Ankle Strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist omission, including inadequate medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current knee and gastrointestinal disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is now rated at 30 percent for the period beginning July 3, 2024. The left knee disability continues to be rated as 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected left leg shrapnel injury is found to have resulted in left knee DJD. The Veteran meets the criteria for SAH due to his service-connected disabilities, which require constant use of a walker or cane for ambulation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and will provide proper notice for a VA examination.