Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's left knee strain disability is rated at 10 percent since May 9, 2023, due to painful motion. This rating reflects the minimum compensable level for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee strain and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities require additional development. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability during the entire period on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under any applicable VA rating criteria, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left and right knee disorders, left and right ankle disorders, left and right hip disorders, a right elbow disorder, a back disability, and migraine headaches. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as she withdrew her appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left hip disorders due to a pre-decisional error in obtaining an adequate nexus opinion prior to the June 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disability, bladder disability, and musculoskeletal conditions of the feet, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and neck, require regular aid and attendance due to his physical incapacity. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, and right knee disability. Service connection was denied for right eye disability.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's current symptoms of lumbosacral strain, chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, total right and left knee replacements, tinnitus, degenerative disc disease with spinal fusion complications, painful middle back scar, and scars of the knees, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. A TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral flatfoot (pes planus), left knee disability, right knee disability, psychiatric disability, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are based on direct evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle conditions as secondary to his service-connected left hip replacement.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 1, 2021, for a 30 percent evaluation for his right knee replacement. The decision found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date as it would decrease the Veteran's properly assigned 100 percent evaluation and because he was already separately compensated for service-connected right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted as service-connected, and his right knee strain is granted with a 60 percent rating effective November 5, 2019.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any left ankle and left knee conditions, as these were not conducted prior to denying the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, neck disability, bilateral knee disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, headaches, sinus disability, respiratory disability, balance disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to a duty to assist error in obtaining service records.

The Veteran's migraines and right lower leg radiculopathy to include paralysis of the external cutaneous nerve-thigh are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for COPD is dismissed due to a prior decision granting asthma (which includes COPD) in full.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain and an earlier effective date for obstructive sleep apnea have been dismissed because the appeal is concurrent with another pending appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for his left knee condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is related to parachute jumps and in-service injuries, but service connection cannot be established.,Asthma has been granted as service-connected with a current evaluation of 10%, but no higher rating is assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for shortness of breath, obstructive sleep apnea, right elbow disability, or any related foot and knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.