Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his ability to perform most activities of daily living independently despite some limitations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and shoulder disorders due to inadequate examination reports and opinions.

Your appeal for service connection regarding left and right knee disabilities has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The case will not be resumed on your behalf.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, and onychomycosis.

The Veteran's knee, ankle, and hip strains are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. The lumbar spine condition is also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals related to his claims, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is associated with left upper extremity radiculopathy, and he has been granted a 30 percent rating for this condition. His right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 50 percent. The right anterior neck scar status post cervical fusion does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's limitations in performing activities of daily living are consistent with being unable to sustain himself in the community, warranting Tier 2 benefits under the PCAFC program.

The Board has granted past due benefits for a temporary total evaluation of 100 percent for left knee arthroplasty, and an evaluation of 30 percent effective March 1, 2024. The decision also awarded Special Monthly Compensation based on housebound criteria from September 31, 2023, to March 1, 2024.

The Veteran is not eligible for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) as he can independently perform all activities of daily living without requiring personal care services and is not in need of supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to accurately assess the severity of the appellant's knee disabilities, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for right elbow and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations from August 2019. The AOJ is now directed to schedule new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right and left knee strains, chronic sinusitis, hypertension, and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since December 16, 2010. An effective date of December 16, 2010 is granted for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right knee strain are granted service connection as they began in service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for left and right knee strains have been granted. The effective date is set at March 31, 2023, but no earlier. For the rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee strain, the Board found that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on current limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, left forearm pain, left hip pain, left knee pain, left shoulder pain, right ear hearing loss, right forearm pain, or right shoulder pain.,Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection related to residuals of frostbite, bilateral hip conditions, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral eye condition. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis and a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support an in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, right knee disability, left knee disability, and sleep apnea are all granted. Additionally, the Veteran is now eligible for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from August 29, 2006, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DEA) benefits are also granted effective that date.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but denied service connection for a left shoulder disability.