Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates related to his right knee disabilities require additional development due to a lack of adequate VA examinations in relation to the period on appeal.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for chronic rhinitis and a 10 percent rating for left knee strain and tendonitis have been denied. The evidence does not support higher ratings based on the severity of symptoms or functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations due to hospitalization during October 2019 constitutes a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and thus the claims are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess his left knee disabilities, considering the ameliorative effects of his medication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and higher ratings due to additional procedural development being required. The AOJ is instructed to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case addressing all evidence received since the September 2025 SSOC.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating more than 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis was denied, while he received a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, right knee, and lower back conditions. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are causally related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial and increased evaluations for knee conditions, including patellar tendonitis, MCL sprain and meniscal tear, and meniscal tear, were denied. Separate evaluations for right and left knee instability were granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for service-connected left knee, patellar tendonitis and right knee, patellar tendonitis is granted as of March 20, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum VA examination addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding his bilateral knee disabilities, and to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's left knee strain did not result in leg flexion limited to 30 degrees, and his disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate prior to January 14, 2022, as he did not meet the criteria of having a single service-connected disability rated as 100% disabling and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%.

The Board denied service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, as well as diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations of PTSD, TBI-related emotional/behavioral dysfunction, and right knee disability, as well as SMC and TDIU benefits. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new examinations and ensure that the reports comply with instructions.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in previous decisions and requests for additional evidence and clarification of medical findings. The Veteran's representative requested copies of certain examination reports, which were provided after a second Joint Motion for Remand (JMR).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities and additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives regarding a retrospective medical opinion on the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability from January 5, 2015 to October 13, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right knee arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion considering the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's left knee prosthetic replacement (LKP) is granted a 100% rating effective September 30, 2013. A 60% rating for right knee degenerative arthritis and lumbar disability is also granted from September 30, 2014.