Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip disorders. These claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, increased ratings, and service connection are not final due to missing SSA records. The case is being sent back to the AOJ to obtain these records.

The Veteran's service connection for psychiatric disability and left knee disorder is granted, with an effective date of March 30, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but remanded the claim for service connection of a right hip disability due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's back disability and left knee disability are being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not provide proper notice of a right to a hearing, and thus remanded the case for further action. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability, migraines, and TBI residuals are now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. The claims for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis are both denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome and labrum tear, right knee strain, and left knee strain due to duty-to-assist errors in the initial decision.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions considering the Veteran's lay statements about his in-service activities.

The Veteran's appeal was 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 Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was 100% as of November 1, 2016. The effective date for DEA benefits is granted on this basis.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a left knee disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence when the claim is readjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bulimia, bilateral shoulder strain, bilateral hip sprain, and bilateral knee sprain are remanded due to inadequate examination and treatment record review. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant records and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board denied increased ratings for various conditions, including right and left knee limitations of flexion, bilateral foot condition, skin condition, and PTSD. The Veteran's claims were not granted as her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of spine with intervertebral disc syndrome status post right L5-S1 microdiscectomy associated with left knee chronic strain and post operative anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and medial meniscus repair was denied as his symptoms are not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased rating and service connection for hyperlipidemia. The appeal for service connection of erectile dysfunction is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted increased disability ratings, effective January 20, 2025.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for diabetes, hypertension, left knee condition, right knee condition, and tinea pedis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and hypertension are being remanded because VA did not notify him of unavailability of records from MedHealth Home Care, Alabama Orthopedics Specialists, and Beltone Hearing Center. Additionally, an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his conditions is needed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition and right knee condition are being remanded due to VA not notifying him of unavailability of records from MedHealth Home Care, Alabama Orthopedics Specialists, and Beltone Hearing Center. Additionally, an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his conditions is needed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is being remanded because VA did not notify him of unavailability of records from MedHealth Home Care, Alabama Orthopedics Specialists, and Beltone Hearing Center. Additionally, an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his condition is needed.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left total knee replacements have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 30 percent from August 1, 2020.