Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's right knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's right knee residuals of patellectomy are granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective August 1, 2024. The left knee strain with knee joint osteoarthritis claim is remanded.

The Board has found the reduction in ratings for left knee conditions improper and restored the original ratings. The issues of increased ratings, effective dates, and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examination reports regarding flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities substantially contributed to his death, and therefore grants service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain with patellar tendonitis and anemia were denied as the Veteran failed to appear at scheduled VA examinations without demonstrating good cause.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable (0 percent).,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for lumbar spine pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee pain, and right knee pain have all been granted.,Service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder has been granted.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition is the primary cause of his bilateral knee and shoulder pain.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee injury and right shoulder injury, finding that these conditions are directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids is dismissed. The claim for service connection for a sleep disorder (claimed as trouble sleeping) is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for TMJ, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder were dismissed due to untimeliness of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations of bilateral knee and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence from VA examinations. The Veteran's current range of motion measurements, symptoms, and related impairment must be evaluated without the ameliorative effects of medication used to treat his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to errors in duty to assist. The Board notes that part of this claim may involve an implicit TDIU claim related to his left knee conditions, which could potentially yield an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's left knee partial replacement surgery is rated at 30 percent from September 28, 2020, and no higher. The decision acknowledges the Veteran's pain but finds that his knee does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of chronic residuals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain as secondary to right knee strain, and lower back pain due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for tension headaches was granted. Service connection is denied for hypertension, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, left elbow disability, hemorrhoids, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches, left knee disability (limitation of extension and flexion), and right knee disability (limitation of extension and flexion) have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity and symptomatology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disabilities, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left shoulder condition, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, perforated eardrums, and hearing loss do not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection at this time.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, shoulder disabilities, upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy, elbow and wrist disabilities, hand/finger disabilities, hip and knee disabilities, ankle and foot disabilities, lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and left ear hearing loss are all denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during or proximate to the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for unspecified adjustment disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their claim. The appeals for service connection for a skin condition, right hip condition, right ankle condition, and right knee condition are being remanded for further development.