Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions. As a result, these claims are being readjudicated.,The Board has also determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to support the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral knee and shoulder conditions. As a result, these claims are being readjudicated.

The Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities are granted as they are found to be due to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no one has requested substitution for the Veteran.

The Veteran's representative withdrew his appeals regarding the service connection for various conditions, leading to the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from July 19, 2013 through January 20, 2014 rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability due to inadequate VA opinions. The cases are now pending further development.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's knee conditions, including evaluations and TDIU. The decision is based on needing to verify the Veteran's contact information and obtain any returned mail.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10 percent for painful limitation of flexion, instability, and limited extension. The appeal was denied with no new or material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including RPPS with meniscus tear and ACL repair, is currently rated at 20% for limitation of extension from January 20, 2014, until May 6, 2024, and in excess of 20% thereafter. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20% for right knee flexion disability is denied.

The Veteran's left knee patella chondromalacia and patellar instability have been rated at 10 percent each, with no separate rating for patellar instability prior to September 27, 2022. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the rating and reduction of his service-connected right knee post-operative medial meniscectomy instability has been dismissed due to his death. The case will not be resumed unless a request for substitution is made within one year.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand disability, right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, scoliosis, lumbosacral strain, COPD, and asthma. The appeals are dismissed due to lack of a current disability for right hand disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Board has remanded the case due to VA's failure to obtain certain medical records and failed to follow up on requests for records from the Veteran. The issue of service connection for a left knee disability remains under development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The other conditions (headaches, sleep apnea, left knee condition, right knee condition, and back condition) are denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of service connection. The right knee arthritis limitation of extension is granted a separate 20 percent rating. A separate rating for right knee instability is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, right hip osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on four issues: back disability, knee disability, grand mal seizures, and hearing loss. The claims were denied in September 2017 without a timely Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error due to the inadequacy of the November 2024 VA examination. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected right knee conditions is being remanded for an addendum opinion.