Knee decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for TBI, headaches as secondary to TBI, left knee condition (limitation of extension), right knee condition (limitation of extension), left wrist condition (limited motion), right wrist condition (limited motion), and right shoulder condition. The evidence did not support a current disability related to the claimed conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to an inability to perform one or more activities of daily living (ADLs). The PCAFC eligibility process will continue, including consideration of whether the program is in the Veteran's best interest.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck pain with upper extremity symptoms, low back pain with lower extremity symptoms, bilateral knee pain, bilateral shoulder pain, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and bilateral lower extremity varicose veins due to a failure of VA to provide examinations as requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, including instability, have been dismissed due to a claims processing defect. The November 2022 rating decision found clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the July 2022 rating decision that granted SMC based on loss of use of both feet or need for regular aid and attendance, but did not address the higher ratings for the bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Service connection for allergic rhinitis was also denied due to lack of evidence supporting its onset during or shortly after military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for further action, including obtaining an appropriate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee pain due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status as he does not have a single disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%, nor is he permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee strain with instability was granted a restoration of the 30% rating, while a denial for a higher rating. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and insomnia/sleep problems) was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine, thoracolumbar spine, and heart conditions have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee ligament tear with degenerative arthritis, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease of hips and great toes, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

New evidence has been received to reconsider the service connection claims for various disabilities, including right arm, head, left knee, left shoulder, lower back, neck, and right foot. The Board is remanding these cases for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The appellant is granted SMC(o) and SMC(r)(1) based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, glaucoma, foot drop conditions, sleep apnea, migraines, overactive bladder, and various musculoskeletal issues. He does not qualify for higher rates due to the anatomical loss or use of extremities.

The Veteran's tinnitus and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder have been granted service connection.,Service connection for a vascular disorder, to include varicose veins, an esophageal disorder (GERD), left knee disorder, and right knee disorder is remanded due to the need for further examination or evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various ankle and knee disorders, as well as hypertension and sleep apnea due to a duty to assist omission regarding missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's back condition is granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher. The left knee condition is granted a noncompensable (0 percent) rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the October 2019 VA examination reports.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the October 2019 VA examination reports.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2019 VA medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded based on new military personnel records showing his deployment to Panama and Honduras.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports related to ankle disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports related to ankle disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination report.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions, including appendectomy scar, back pain, neck pain, bilateral feet pain, left knee strain, right knee strain, gingivitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.