Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's right knee limitation of flexion prior to August 7, 2024 was not limited to 30 degrees and therefore does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's low back disability prior to December 15, 2020 and right knee instability from April 1, 2023 onwards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis with meniscus and ligament injuries, is related to service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for right knee strain as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain due to inadequate medical opinions and a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues related to migraines and bilateral cataracts with primary open angle glaucoma and vitreous floaters prior to February 13, 2025 is dismissed due to previous adjudications.,The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for left knee and right knee disabilities are dismissed due to previous adjudications.,The Veteran's appeal of the TDIU claim prior to June 11, 2024 is dismissed as moot.,The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased disability rating for a right ankle condition is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for DEA is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of service connection for cardiomyopathy with supraventricular arrhythmia is denied.

The Veteran's claims for right knee degenerative arthritis, bilateral shin splints, GERD, and bone spurs of the right and left toes were denied. An initial 10 percent rating was granted prior to August 14, 2024, for right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left knee fracture residuals and traumatic brain injury residuals, finding that the additional disabilities were not caused by VA care or treatment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for mild tricuspid regurgitation, bilateral knee strain, and shoulder strains are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,Specifically, the AOJ should obtain a new or addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of a left knee condition, lower back condition, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused severe impairment requiring the regular aid and attendance of his wife to protect him from daily hazards, with the first indications documented in a March 20, 2016 statement. The Board granted SMC based on this need starting from March 20, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right knee impairment is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a more comprehensive examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right or left knee disabilities, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left upper and right upper extremity nerve conditions, left knee disability, GERD, and asthma are all found to be related to his active-duty service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection, finding that good cause was not shown to extend the appeal period. The Veteran did not timely file her Board Appeal requests.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of vertigo, right elbow pain, left elbow pain, and left knee pain due to a failure to provide adequate reasons or bases as to whether there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims at this time.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disorders, finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disorders (pes planus and plantar fasciitis).

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, right hip condition, bilateral knee condition, middle/lower back condition, anemia, respiratory condition, hyperlipidemia, and benign prostate hypertrophy. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee total knee replacement surgery is rated at 100% from November 19, 2024 to March 19, 2025. His prior degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis, right knee condition remains rated at 10%. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.