Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee disability prior to July 18, 2024 is denied. The Board finds the evidence does not support finding extension limited to 30 degrees or more.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient consideration of the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, and for obtaining new examinations to address these issues.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of lumbosacral strain did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.,The Board also denied service connection for a right knee disability, concluding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of right knee degenerative joint disease did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee joint pain, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury and resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate ratings for his bilateral knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a new examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted an increased rating of 60 percent from June 24, 2014 to August 8, 2022 (excluding a temporary total rating period). As of August 9, 2022, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent was denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective June 25, 2012. The Board found that the service-connected conditions alone have been of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations conducted by a Nurse Practitioner.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee disability and TDIU prior to October 4, 2022 are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be returned for further appellate review.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for left knee meniscal tear, limitation of flexion was denied. However, separate ratings of 10 percent and 20 percent were granted for left knee instability and residuals of the meniscus tear, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, trapezius strain of the left shoulder, PIP strain of the ring finger of the right hand, lumbosacral strain, and IT band syndrome of the right knee. The appeal is granted in full.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are not linked to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current left knee condition and service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, a sleep related disorder, a cervical spine (neck) disorder, a thoracolumbar spine (lower back) disorder, and a left knee disorder as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for left knee instability under DC 5257, effective January 12, 2017. The appellant's appeal is granted as to this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the most recent VA examination, and the Veteran should be afforded an updated examination to assess her current left knee disability severity.

The Veteran's leg injury disability has not been established as service-connected.

The Veteran's left knee Baker's cyst and meniscus tear have been rated based on their respective conditions, with the Baker's cyst receiving a 10 percent rating and the meniscus tear a separate 20 percent rating as of May 10, 2024. The partial knee replacement post September 1, 2025 is currently not rated.,The Veteran's left knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating for Baker's cyst and a 20 percent rating for meniscus tear as of May 10, 2024. However, the partial knee replacement post September 1, 2025 is not rated.