Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is denied. The current rating of 20% adequately reflects the limitation of motion.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings higher than 10% for his service-connected left and right knee painful motions are denied. The current ratings reflect the limited range of motion due to pain.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and a non-compensable rating for left finger condition. The claim for hearing loss was denied.,Service connection for left knee strain was granted, with an initial compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee strain disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD, right knee joint osteoarthritis, left knee joint osteoarthritis, chest disability manifested by pain, left leg disability manifested by pain, right ankle disability manifested by pain, sleep apnea, and right ear hearing loss. The claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not meet the regulatory threshold for a current hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a duty to assist error in failing to notify the Veteran of VA's inability to obtain private medical treatment records from identified providers.

The Board has found the Veteran's right knee disability did not pre-exist her active service. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether any diagnosed right knee condition onset during or is otherwise related to her active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations regarding his claimed knee, shoulder, and back disabilities. The Board finds that a VA examination should be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral knee, shoulder, or back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment since May 15, 2017.

The Veteran's above the knee left leg amputation was granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 as a direct result of his August 2015 VA total knee replacement, which he contends was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has decided to remand several claims, including those for a compensable evaluation for service-connected hypothyroidism, service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, lower back disability, upper neck disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension. The reasons are that the VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's reported symptoms and potential aggravation of his conditions by his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is related to his active duty military service, including continuous symptoms since onset. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current right or left knee disability that was incurred or aggravated during the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The claim is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for migraines and right shoulder strain due to lack of current diagnoses. The claims for left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded as VA examinations are needed.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, and the Board finds that an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent is not warranted for either knee.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete etiology opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for gout, bilateral foot and osteoarthritis of the left knee. The conditions are found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The effective date claim is denied as the Veteran is already service connected from August 5, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for perirectal abscess infection debridement has been withdrawn, and the appeal is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for a back condition, left shoulder strain, and right knee condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spur due to inadequate medical examination and opinion in August 2021.