Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee and bilateral elbow disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for any of the conditions.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between the current condition and either active service or a pre-existing service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, low back disability, eye disabilities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer, and SMC at the housebound rate due to deficiencies in obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the hands and knees, carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disability, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and initial disability ratings for left and right knee strains have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, as he did not meet any diagnostic criteria for PTSD. For his knee strains, the evidence showed limited flexion but no additional functional impairment due to pain or other factors.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to his withdrawal of appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board denied an increased rating for right knee strain and other conditions in a November 29, 2023 decision. The Veteran's appeals were dismissed as untimely.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left foot, left knee, low back, right foot, and right knee conditions due to a duty to assist error in obtaining adequate medical opinions.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which include unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, tinnitus, chronic right knee strain (now claimed as right leg pain), and tinea cruris. The combined rating is at least 70 percent, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar spine pain and dry eye syndrome are found to have begun during service, warranting service connection.,Right knee pain is secondary to the Veteran's left knee synovitis, also established as service-connected.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals as untimely, and denied any extension of time to file an appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 11, 2023, for total disability due to individual unemployability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not clearly establish unemployability due to service-connected disabilities before this date and there was no formal claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain an adequate medical determination prior to the decision, and for issues related to eligibility for PCAFC benefits. The matter is now being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation beyond natural progression in her pre-existing conditions.

The appeal for service connection of left knee osteoarthritis is dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, TBI, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, a skin condition, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee patellar instability, and bilateral shin splints are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, costochondritis, PTSD, and a right knee disability were denied as there was no earlier effective date established.,Entitlement to service connection for these conditions is not granted.

The Veteran's neck disability is granted as service connected, and her left knee pain claim is remanded for further examination.