Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was granted effective April 17, 2024, based on his multiple service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is April 17, 2024, which the Veteran has been granted and believes to be the correct date.

The Veteran's right knee condition is found to have begun during service and has progressed since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to an in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerves), right knee disability, and cervical spine disorder was granted with effective dates of June 9, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his eye disability was granted. His claim for a compensable rating for sinusitis was also granted, and he is entitled to a higher rating for headaches, CTS of the right hand, and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities due to insufficient VA medical opinions provided in November 2024.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of upper extremity neuropathy, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for bilateral foot conditions, low back condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are remanded due to the failure to provide a VA examination prior to the December 2024 rating decision.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded several claims due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's disabilities, including their relationship to service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis, finding that his flexion is limited to 30 degrees during flare-ups due to pain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification of the severity of his bilateral knee and hip disabilities without ameliorative effects of any medication. Additional development may include scheduling a new examination if necessary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnosis and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for his service-connected left knee and low back disabilities was denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent rating assigned for each condition is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports that did not account for the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board dismissed the proposed severance of service connection for general impairment and limitation of extension of the left knee. A rating of 60 percent from January 1, 2025 was granted for a left knee replacement.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right knee disability due to insufficient consideration of relevant service treatment records.

The Board has determined that there were procedural errors in the initial decision and remands these claims for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected disabilities, has been found to warrant a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate effective October 18, 2023.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left knee and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the maximum schedular disability rating available for total knee replacement residuals is 60 percent, which was already assigned following implantation of the prosthesis. For the right knee, a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5260 (limitation of flexion) and Diagnostic Code 5261 (limitation of extension) has been assigned.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, left knee injury, right hip injury, and left hip injury is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is also denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis. The Board finds that his lay statements do not satisfy the third prong of McLendon v. Nicholson.