Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's PTSD, effective April 15, 2019. The Veteran is denied entitlement to a TDIU based solely on his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for sinusitis is denied as there was no formal or informal claim prior to August 9, 2023.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his sinusitis is denied as he is already in receipt of the highest schedular rating for this condition.,Service connection for a left knee disorder is denied due to lack of diagnosed left knee pathology and no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because there is no indication that it might be related to service or caused by a service-connected disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection for right and left arm disorders is denied as there is no diagnosed condition in the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for retropatellar pain syndrome of the right and left knees due to inadequate examination reports that did not account for the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board has remanded the case for an adequate retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee strain with chondromalacia prior to July 27, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his regular need for aid and attendance, thus the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome and internal fixation of the medial femoral condyle, is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal for a higher evaluation has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been granted. The left knee disability has been rated based on the symptoms described, with a focus on instability and limitation of motion. The lumbar spine disability was rated based on its current manifestations.

The Board has found that the VA examinations obtained in connection with this appeal were not compliant with the remand directives and thus, the case is being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability, TDIU, and SMC are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board requested that opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability and its functional impact on employability be provided regardless of whether he attended his examinations.

The reduction in the disability evaluation rating for service-connected left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis, MCL sprain, effusion, status post ACL repair including limitation of flexion from 30 percent to 10 percent was improper. The 30 percent rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate discussion of all evidence, including the Veteran's in-service symptoms and post-service medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his bilateral knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee and psychiatric disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability and hearing loss due to additional evidence added since the August 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, left knee injury, and low back injury claims have been dismissed.,A rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right knee mild osteoarthritis status-post right lateral meniscectomy has been granted with an effective date of August 7, 2017.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with the highest ratings granted for each issue. The initial disability ratings are effective February 8, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for a scar behind the left knee, an initial 20 percent evaluation for a low back disability prior to June 10, 2019, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and CTS of the left upper extremity, and service connection for a right shoulder disability are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as dizziness. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral leg and foot disabilities did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The Veteran's current disabilities were diagnosed after service, but he failed to provide good cause for missing scheduled VA examinations. As such, his claims for service connection are denied.