Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and upper extremity, bilateral kidney condition, right shoulder condition, lower back condition, anxiety, bilateral foot condition, right knee condition, diabetes mellitus, type II, headaches, gum condition, hypertension, blood disorder, and tinnitus. The case is remanded for further examination regarding a left ankle condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,Service connection for a right wrist disability is denied as there is no evidence of such during active duty service or otherwise related to service.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service.,An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee disability) is also remanded as there are no findings or diagnoses related to this condition during active duty service.,Service connection for a sleep disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service.,Service connection for a disability manifested by chest pain is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities were denied as they did not become manifest during service or for many years thereafter, and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Veteran's back disability was remanded due to the need for further review.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of bilateral knee and hip conditions due to untimely filing of a VA Form 10182, which was more than one year after the July 26, 2024 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to obtain complete service treatment records, which may provide evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus is granted service connection. The left and right wrist disabilities, as well as the left knee disability are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease from May 1, 2025 is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees.

The Veteran's stress fractures of the left second and third metatarsals are granted a 30% disability rating since November 9, 2022.,The Veteran's left ankle sprain status post arthrotomy is denied for increased ratings.,Service connection for hypertension cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.,Service connection for the left knee disability cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.,Service connection for hemorrhoids cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than an alcohol-related disorder (claimed) cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.,Service connection for an alcohol-related disorder (claimed) cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities (including degenerative joint disease) as well as a left hamstring muscle disability due to an error in providing notice of his right to a hearing on a supplemental claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination in determining the extent of the left knee torn posterior horn of the medical meniscus, and to consider the Veteran's statements regarding flare-ups and medication effects.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee, back, tinnitus, and hearing loss, did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from April 21, 2021 to April 21, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities and potential aggravation by service. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance from another person, which has been granted.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 7, 2011 for the grant of service connection and a 10 percent rating for TMJ. The claims for service connection for left knee condition, back injury, right knee condition, and sleep apnea are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal of an increase in the rating for his left knee disability has been withdrawn and is therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's CFS is related to his in-service exposure to environmental toxins, and his GERD is presumed due to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War era. The claims for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, right hip trochanteric pain syndrome, and left knee strain are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for failed apicoectomy with residual pain was withdrawn and dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee meniscal tear as secondary to his right knee condition is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as the evidence does not meet the VA criteria for a diagnosis of hearing loss.,Service connection for OCD is denied due to lack of medical evidence supporting its onset during service or related to service. The private psychologist's opinion was deemed inadequate and speculative.,Right knee pain is denied as there is no diagnosed condition, only reported symptoms from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.,Specifically, the VA examiner did not provide an opinion on how the Veteran's symptoms would differ in severity without medication use.