Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for service-connected left and right knee chondromalacia patella due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and right shoulder disorders, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active duty or training. The medical evidence did not support a nexus between the current diagnoses and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities, including low back disability and PTSD, do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthritis and bilateral hip arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service or service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of relevant records and for additional VA addendum medical opinions. The Veteran's conditions are related to incidents during his military service, but specific details about these incidents are unclear.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with a maximum 50 percent rating for left knee limitation of extension from March 18, 2024, and a 20 percent rating for left knee ACL residuals including instability from February 29, 2024. The increase in rating period for left knee arthritis was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as right and left ankle disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's IBS increased rating claim is granted, and a 30% disability rating is assigned.,The Veteran's GERD initial increased rating claim is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for major depressive disorder, left knee strain, right knee strain, and low back condition due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance has also been established.

The Board has found that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to physical limitations resulting from his musculoskeletal and radiculopathy conditions. The issue is remanded to determine if participation in the PCAFC program would be in the Veteran's best interest.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The right shoulder, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities are all being reviewed further.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis and right knee disability, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence linking them to service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, left knee strain, and lumbosacral strain as these conditions were not shown in service or are not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates were denied.,The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date before March 14, 2022, for service connection of IVDS, MDD, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia, patellar maltracking, and calf strain, or right knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia, patellar maltracking, and calf strain.

The Veteran's cervical strain and left knee strain have been granted service connection, with the effective date being January 5, 2026.

The Veteran's instability, right knee, status post meniscus tear surgery did not meet the criteria for a higher rating beyond 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left knee, and right knee conditions are being remanded due to errors in the duty to assist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee condition, left knee condition, lumbosacral strain (lower back pain), buttocks pain, right hand condition, and left hand condition. The Board found insufficient evidence to support these claims.