Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional error in the VA Form 10182 Decision Review Request, and the Veteran needs further examination to determine if his current left knee disabilities are related to his active duty for training in June 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the use of assistive devices such as braces, crutches, canes, rollators, and walkers. The Board has granted eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and increased rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left foot condition has been dismissed due to a duty to assist error.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for kyphosis with thoracolumbar strain and bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him totally unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to October 21, 2022. Therefore, an effective date earlier than October 21, 2022 for the award of a TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral foot condition and remanded the issue of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, migraines, degenerative arthritis with greater trochanteric bursitis of the right hip, sleep apnea, bladder condition, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee disability, right knee disability, residuals of a left foot stress fracture, residuals of a right foot stress fracture, and tinnitus. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an increased rating for left knee limitation of flexion and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities as they have been remanded by the Board in October 2025.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right shoulder impingement syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his active service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome and tendonitis, including as secondary to right ankle Achilles tendonitis.

The Board found that attorney B.J. is eligible for the direct payment of fees from the past due benefits awarded in the October 2024 rating decision granting a higher 30 percent rating for right knee limitation of motion.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each for limitation of extension, with no higher ratings possible under the applicable rating criteria.,The evidence does not show that the Veteran's knee extensions have reached a level where a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition began during his active-duty military service and has continued since then. The decision is based on evidence showing a qualifying event (in-service injury) leading to the development of arthritis.

The Veteran's left elbow and left knee disabilities are granted service connection.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted service connection based on a fall during service.,The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection based on a fall during service.,Tinnitus has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the severity of his right knee disability, as current evidence does not clearly indicate whether medication used by him ameliorates his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis was reopened due to new and relevant evidence, and the Board granted service connection based on a finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral allergic conjunctivitis and bilateral dry eye syndrome was granted, with the highest possible rating of 10 percent. The Veteran's chronic cholelithiasis (gallstones) was also granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent.