Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and plantar fasciitis because they were already on appeal before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to incomplete records, duty-to-assist errors, and potential exposure to toxic substances. Further development is required including obtaining private medical records, personnel records, and TERA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and medical opinions, as well as potential legal errors in previous decisions. The Veteran will have an opportunity to request another hearing or present additional evidence.

The reduction in rating for left knee arthritis from 50 percent to 10 percent was not proper, and thus the original 50 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted service connection, with the right knee disability being due to osteoarthritis and a total knee replacement. The left knee disability is also attributed to osteoarthritis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee tendonitis and tendinosis, denied entitlement to initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and bilateral hearing loss, and remanded the issue of service connection for headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and opinion in January 2020. The appellant is seeking service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left tibia stress fracture, a left knee disability, and a left hip disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain. Service connection for right hip strain is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the presumptive period, and were not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology. The Board denied service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's right knee disability was not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology. The Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for major depression, recurrent is denied. The claims for service connection for right and left lower sciatica, hearing loss, and tinnitus are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is secondary to her service-connected lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with IVDS. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's tinea pedis has been granted an initial 10 percent rating. The Board has identified pre-decisional duty to assist errors for the remaining issues and has ordered remand for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims as they are no longer pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis.

The Board has restored a separate 20 percent rating for removal of left knee cartilage with locking, effective March 1, 2025, after finding the AOJ's decision to sever service connection was improper.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee arthritis has been granted. The claims for left foot conditions, right foot conditions, and headaches have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability due to inadequate medical opinions in his favor. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these disabilities, specifically whether they are related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease and left knee strain have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence or clarification.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The diagnoses are related to the Veteran's military service.