Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain and service connection for liver disorder were both denied by the Board.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected knee and hip disabilities, finding that he requires regular aid and assistance from another person since January 25, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for fatigue, right knee disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder have been denied as she does not currently have a diagnosed condition related to her service.,An effective date earlier than September 15, 2024, for the left knee disorder has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, right hip replacement residuals, and low back disability due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The Veteran is competent to provide testimony concerning factual matters of which he has firsthand knowledge, such as experiencing physical symptoms related to his MOS as Fighting Vehicle Infantryman.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service and concluded there was no causal relationship between any current condition and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and assistance. However, the Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status due to the overlap between the conditions that qualify for both benefits.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets the criteria set forth in VA regulations.,The claims for left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee conditions are denied due to lack of medical evidence demonstrating current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee pain, and right knee pain have been denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.,There are no findings or complaints of hearing loss or tinnitus during service. The Veteran did not report any knee disabilities until after his period of honorable service.

The Veteran's neck and right knee disabilities are granted as they are presumed to be related to active service.,There is no evidence of dizziness or shortness of breath during the pendency of the claim, so these claims are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and needs additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis, limitation of flexion; left knee strain (extension); and left knee laxity were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a left knee disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has found that the previous VA examinations and opinions were inadequate in addressing the Veteran's lay evidence of service connection for a low back condition and right knee condition. The case is being remanded to obtain new medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition restricts routine daily activities almost completely.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches is denied as the evidence shows that they are very frequent and prostrating, but do not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee condition, including his left knee medial meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis. The issue is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected low back, left knee (limitation of flexion), left knee (instability), right knee (limitation of flexion), and right knee (instability) disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing all issues on appeal through his attorney.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, diagnosed as tendonitis, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted service connection. The Board notes that the evidence does not specify a particular type of exposure basis for this condition.,Service connection for cervical spine disability and lower back disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.,Service connection for bilateral toe disability (claimed as residuals from bilateral great toes surgery) is remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.,Service connection for left ankle disability and right knee disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a current disability within one year of separation from service or showing that the conditions were incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and left hip disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.