Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right knee medical collateral ligament strain and bilateral plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and hallux valgus with residuals of right foot fracture is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,An increased rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability alone does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran is capable of performing a variety of jobs consistent with his education, skills, training, and work history.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective December 2022.,Left great ingrown toenail residuals were denied a compensable rating.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 28, 2020 for the grant of service connection for left knee strain and related hip osteoarthritis disabilities. The Veteran's claims were continuously pursued until this final decision was made.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee torn meniscus with an initial 10 percent rating, effective from December 7, 2023. However, the effective date is set back to December 5, 2023, due to continuous pursuit not being established.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not productive of limitation of motion to a degree that warrants an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. Service connection for left hip and right hip disabilities, depression, and anxiety are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, GERD, a right knee condition, and a low back condition are granted. The claim for service connection for a left knee condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to consider additional evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee strain, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active service or any other service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied because the Board found that he had substantially gainful employment during the period of the appeal, despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 5, 2019 for the assignment of a 20 percent evaluation for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with meniscal tear and instability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions necessitate the need for regular aid and assistance of another individual to perform his activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, showering, dressing, ambulating within the home or living area, transferring, medication management, cleaning, and feeding himself. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is related to service and granted.,Service connection for a TBI and migraines, as secondary to the claimed TBI, are denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus have been dismissed. Claims for hepatitis C, aortic aneurysm, liver condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and depression are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI, PTSD, migraines, right knee pain, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for a cervical spine disorder and thoracolumbar spine disorder due to lack of evidence raising secondary service connection.,Service connection is denied for right knee, left knee, and thoracolumbar spine disorders as there is no current diagnosis related to these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error by the AOJ in providing notice of the right to a hearing before VA.

The Veteran passed away before the Board could make a decision on her service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome. Her appeal is dismissed due to her death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for urinary voiding dysfunction, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been denied. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient opinion regarding aggravation.