Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, bipartite patella, chondrocalcinosis, and a small effusion; and left knee strain with tiny effusion and calcification. The decision is based on direct evidence of in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right knee posttraumatic arthritis and left eye supraorbital nerve damage associated with a left eyebrow scar have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death. The appeal will be closed as the Board has no jurisdiction to proceed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the inability to locate her complete service treatment records and failure to obtain relevant federal court records. The AOJ is instructed to request these records and associate them with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain and bilateral ankle tendonitis are alleged to be related to his current back and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to left knee degenerative arthritis, including instability and limitations in flexion and extension. The Veteran's conditions have not met the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's claims for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, residuals of a right hand second MCP fracture, left knee disorder, right arm disorder, right knee disorder, left arm disorder, and residuals of an injury to the front teeth and gums. The Board has also remanded for further examinations regarding service connection for celiac disease and asbestos exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability and OSA, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service, specifically as a parachutist. The claim will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are granted, but his right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee strain do not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to service, and his low back and right knee conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder hydroxyapatite deposition with degenerative arthritis and left knee rheumatoid arthritis, finding that these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and right knee disabilities, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and right shoulder conditions, finding that the current disabilities are causally related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right elbow disorder was denied. The rating claims for cervical strain, thoracolumbar back strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right ankle inversion laxity with instability were all denied. Migraine headaches did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant was denied as they do not meet the criteria based on their service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at a noncompensable rating for limitation of extension and denied higher ratings for both limitation of flexion and extension. The Board found that the current range of motion findings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's knee conditions were caused or aggravated by her military service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for restored ratings of left and right knee degenerative arthritis, so the cases are dismissed.