Knee decisions — 2026

The VA denied the appellant's request for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected residuals of a left knee total knee joint replacement, citing that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent, and the right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion was denied an initial compensable rating.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings related to degenerative disc disease of the lumber spine prior to August 9, 2024, and from that date forward, as well as radiculopathy of both lower extremities, were also denied. The Veteran requested higher initial ratings but did not express disagreement with the effective dates assigned.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was rated under Diagnostic Codes 5003-5261 for degenerative arthritis and limitation of extension respectively. The Veteran's right knee flexion was rated under Diagnostic Code 5260, which does not allow for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, headache disability, right knee disability, back disability, and neck disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence of a link between any current disabilities and his military service.

The April 24, 1995, Rating Decision was reversed and service connection for coccyx disability is granted. Other motions for revision of the April 24, 1995, Rating Decision were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism is being remanded. The restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for painful scars of the left knee from January 26, 2020 through January 26, 2021 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the increase in severity of his conditions was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to March 30, 2023.,The effective dates for the grants of service connection for left knee instability and right knee instability are also denied.

The Veteran's left and right knee degenerative arthritis, manifested by painful limitation of flexion, are each rated at 10 percent since July 14, 2020. Separate 10 percent ratings for recurrent subluxation/lateral instability under the old criteria for DC 5257 is granted from July 14, 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities with an effective date of April 29, 2021.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and patellofemoral pain syndrome, is rated at 10 percent since December 3, 2019. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted as of that date. The higher rating claim for patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied. A 10 percent initial rating for a single left knee scar is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete military records indicating unaccounted-for overseas deployments. The AOJ is instructed to make efforts to acquire additional military records and determine the full scope of the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee traumatic arthritis with minimal patellar spurring.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and has remanded his claims for initial rating determinations due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee strain was granted with an effective date of January 26, 2021. Her initial evaluation for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee condition. The reduction in rating for left ankle strain from 10 to zero percent was improper and restoration of the prior 10 percent rating is granted.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, right knee strain, left knee strain, and cervical strain. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee conditions, finding that they are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for her left knee disability has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee tendonitis with patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee tendonitis with patellofemoral pain syndrome, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain are remanded.