Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's initial disability rating for painful left knee scars is granted at a 20 percent level, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining additional VA and private medical records and SSA disability benefits documentation.

The Board dismissed the appeals for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to untimely filing of a VA Form 10182, which was not docketed as it did not provide enough information on the issues he wished to appeal.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected right ankle degenerative arthritis and his current knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a right knee condition was denied as the earliest possible effective date is March 2, 2026, which is when the VA received his supplemental claim.

The Veteran's SMC claim is granted from March 9, 2016 to the present as he has a single disability rated at 100% and additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, right ankle, and right foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing onset during active duty or continuity of symptoms since separation from service.,There is no credible evidence linking any current right knee, right ankle, or right foot conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia, left knee is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough examination that considers whether the symptoms result in functional equivalent of ankylosis during flare-ups.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted an increased rating to 60% effective June 1, 2018. Attorney fees are eligible based on past-due benefits awarded in the December 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent for limitation of flexion in the left knee and extension in the right knee, effective as of April 20, 2026.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors in the February 2025 rating decision. The Board will consider new evidence during the remand process.

The Veteran's entitlement to a disability rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic nerve was granted. The reduction in disability ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with limitation of flexion from 10% to 0% was found to be improper and reinstated.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, cervical spine condition (neck condition), left ankle condition, left elbow condition, left knee condition, and left shoulder condition as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's assertions regarding the onset of his claimed conditions were not supported by medical evidence or service records.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, a left knee condition, a right knee condition, and diabetes as there was no in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents that would support the claims. The Veteran's diabetes was not shown within the applicable presumptive period following service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and lumbar spine strain with IVDS are rated at a 30 percent disability level. Effective February 17, 2026, the Veteran is granted a rating of 30 percent for his service-connected left knee mild chondromalacia, limitation of extension; right knee mild chondromalacia, limitation of extension; and lumbar spine strain with IVDS.

The Veteran's PTSD alone does not render him unable to obtain and sustain substantially gainful employment, as his unemployment is primarily due to physical disabilities including bilateral knee conditions, sleep apnea, and neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee pain is due to her service-connected left ankle disability and results in functional impairment of earning capacity.

Your claims of service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and PTSD have been fully granted with effective dates from January 29, 2025. As the benefits sought are now granted in full, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed as untimely.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disability and back disability due to a lack of treatment records establishing chronicity, faulty review of the Veteran's record, and pre-decisional duty to assist errors.