Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative arthritis with herniated discs and right knee degenerative joint disease with total arthroplasty are denied. The maximum rating of 40 percent is assigned for the lumbar condition, and a 60 percent rating is assigned for the right knee condition after January 27, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis to the extent it is related to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder. The left knee disability, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities are denied as not being related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed shoulder, knee, and ankle conditions are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee arthritis due to a lack of compliance with previous remand orders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and respiratory disability, including residuals of tuberculosis. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that they are aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain as these conditions are considered to have originated during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right knee disorders and instability due to inadequate examination reports in prior decisions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, which is secondary to her service-connected breast cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee injury pain. The claims of service connection for sleep apnea and pes planus are remanded due to the need for a VA examination considering toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has denied service connection for sinus, neck, right arm radiculopathy as secondary to neck condition, IBS, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left knee disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted with effective dates of November 21, 2019. The Veteran is now service-connected for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings and service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are related to his military service, specifically his parachute jumps.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the Veteran's claims for other conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain missing National Guard records, including those from his time in the Alabama Army National Guard.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee meniscus derangement, right knee instability (ACL tear), and right ankle osteophyte have been granted. The highest rating of 20 percent has been assigned for the right ankle osteophyte.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow tendinitis, bladder disability, epididymitis, penile condition/vasectomy, left testicular disability, right foot disability, left knee disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and right ankle sprain/right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.