Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for hypertension was dismissed due to the finality of a prior rating decision. Service connection for neck pain, bilateral upper and lower extremity nerve conditions, and right hip disability based on limitation of abduction are remanded.

The Board has already granted the requested earlier effective dates for the service connection of tinnitus, tension headaches, left knee strain, right hip strain (flexion, extension, and impairment), and left hip strain (flexion, extension, and impairment) in a previous decision. Therefore, this appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of aid and attendance, as he requires assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, medication management, and housekeeping/laundry due to his TBI, PTSD, OSA, headaches, lumbar spine disability, arthritis, and severe chronic back pain. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee and right hand tendonitis due to lack of current diagnoses. The appeal for PTSD is remanded as the in-service stressor needs to be verified.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided was inadequate for rating purposes and remanded the case for further development, including a supplemental medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability, and the AOJ needs to obtain an addendum medical opinion to address his claims.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia patella (right and left knees), and sleep apnea residuals status post nasal fracture are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Veteran's chest scar is not compensably rated as it does not meet the required surface area criteria. The Veteran's neck scar also does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee meniscus tear is aggravated by his service-connected right knee tibial plateau stress fracture disability. The case will be returned for further proceedings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee strain, and left knee strain. The Board found that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the decision on appeal was not legally adequate and requires remand for further action, including obtaining a medical opinion from the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) regarding personal care services needs and supervision requirements. The AOJ must also provide compliant notice under 38 U.S.C. § 5104.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete VA examination reports. The Veteran is not related to service or any incident of service, and no other etiology was provided.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is denied. The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for left knee patellar tendonitis is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, right ankle disability, liver conditions, hypertension, sinusitis, and hypercholesterolemia. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current pain in these joints started during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine strain, right knee medial tear, left knee strain, left knee instability, and right knee instability due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's RLE radiculopathy claim is also remanded for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes patellar tendinitis, knee strain, and low grade femorotibial chondromalacia, was currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show flexion limitation greater than 80 degrees.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained substantial income from previous employment and his current education and work history suggest he can perform sedentary or semi-sedentary work.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for residuals of a hiatal hernia surgical repair, obstructive sleep apnea, left hand disorder, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and knee conditions prevent her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further development.