Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of a hand or foot, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ankylosis of one or both knees or hips, or permanent impairment of vision. Therefore, the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of one automobile or other conveyance with necessary automotive adaptive equipment are not met.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine arthritis, bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, and lumbar degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to have been incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's right knee and right hip disabilities have been restored with specific ratings effective November 19, 2024.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee strain with tendonitis is denied. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a failure to provide adequate notice and assistance in scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding her claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including GAD, MDD, and PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the August 2019 VA examination and opinion, which did not address whether the Veteran's statements about flare-ups were medically inconsistent with his current right knee diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy, result in a loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board finds that the statutory and regulatory criteria for specially adapted housing are met, thus granting the benefit.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claims for service connection on all listed conditions are not before the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left knee disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not considering the effects of medication on the severity of these conditions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for his right knee limitation of extension, right knee instability, and left knee instability to 20 percent effective January 1, 2020. The evidence showed that the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions had not improved under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee posttraumatic osteoarthritis and right knee ACL reconstruction are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the July 2020 VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred during active duty or ADT in the line of duty. The current diagnoses are not related to any such events.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to aggravation during active duty. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by his military duties.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that his current condition is related to a basketball injury during active duty for training in August 1997. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine, knee, and radiculopathy conditions. The RO must also schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and severity of his right rib fractures and hemorrhoids.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to a lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.