Knee decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, Neurocognitive Impairment, CFS, Chronic Pain Disorder, Neck and Upper Airway Disorder, Obesity, Nephropathy, Bilateral Pes Planus, Left Knee Disorder, Left Shoulder Disorder, Right Shoulder Disorder, Right Wrist Disorder, Lumbar Spine Disorder, Bilateral Lower Extremity Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (PN), Hearing Loss, ED, and GU Disorder. The decision is based on the absence of a current diagnosis for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, eye/vision disability, head injury, left ankle and right ankle disabilities, left knee and right knee disabilities, mid/lower back disability, and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection for ED as secondary to PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim based on a single service-connected disability for purposes of special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is denied as he had a combined total schedular disability rating and was receiving special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his right knee disability and additional service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim based on need for aid and attendance is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, recurrent major depressive disorder, chronic sleep impairment, pansinusitis, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disturbances is denied as any reported sleep disturbance is part of his major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's left knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 5260.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is not entitled to a higher rating as there is no evidence of limitation of extension or flexion beyond what is already accounted for in the current 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for migraine remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for increased ratings for asthma with obstructive sleep apnea and right knee strain with meniscus tear with baker cyst.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service. Service connection was denied for right knee disability due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating of his right ankle disability, as well as the compensability of his scars, have been dismissed due to non-jurisdictional procedural defects.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and acquired psychiatric disabilities, specifically ADHD and generalized anxiety disorder. The VA must obtain addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has found that remand is necessary to comply with prior remand directives and to determine the qualifications of the surgeons who performed the Veteran's right total knee arthroplasty in July 2014. The appeal will be further developed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to schedule the Veteran for examinations. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right knee strain with degenerative changes and instability due to incomplete records from Wadley Regional Medical Center.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic left knee condition during or within one year after service and that any current left knee conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities without the ameliorative effects of medication, including during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time.

The Board has found that the Veteran's June 2014 statement constituted an NOD and remanded for issuance of a SOC. However, the AOJ issued an SSOC instead, which is not allowed. The case must be returned to the AOJ for preparation and issuance of a proper SOC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability prior to October 1, 2018 and for TDIU prior to August 28, 2017 due to inadequate previous VA opinions. The case is being returned to an examiner for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the threshold requirement for consideration of schedular TDIU. The Board found that the Veteran is able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation despite his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence being added to the claims file after a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). Additionally, a VA examination is required for the Veteran's hip condition.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, specifically limitation of flexion, is now rated at 20 percent effective from the date of the decision. The rating for right knee instability remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and various musculoskeletal conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. The Board has granted SMC at the M-rate due to his need for special aid and attendance.