Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and are related to his active duty.

The Veteran's preexisting right knee disability was not worsened beyond natural progression during service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of chronic fatigue syndrome, left knee disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to a failure to inform the appellant of his right to a hearing in conjunction with a Supplemental Claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected left and right knee conditions, as well as his service-connected left and right knee scars. The AOJ will need to correct duty-to-assist errors by obtaining new VA examinations.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period prior to April 2, 2022, effective October 12, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment since at least October 2021.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions obtained were inadequate and remands the claims for further development. The Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent from April 29, 2021. The amputation of his left leg above the knee worsened his PTSD symptoms and led to a 50 percent rating during this period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee disability and low back disorder. As a result, the cases are dismissed.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to September 2, 2021 for entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The Veteran's unemployment was not due to service-connected disabilities as of the time of the November 2013 rating decision.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee disability, characterized by painful motion but not ankylosis, flexion limited to 45 degrees or less, extension of 10 degrees or greater, instability, or subluxation, was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for service-connected right knee disabilities due to inadequate consideration of medication effects in prior VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not established during service or within one year post-discharge.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities due to pre-decisional errors in obtaining retrospective opinions considering functional loss without the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, particularly his TBI/head injury, neck disability, back disability, right knee disability, BPPV, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain and service connection for motion sickness with constant vomiting and sickness. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left knee disability or service connection for his claimed condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, increased rating for left knee degenerative joint disease, and increased rating for left knee scar due to a failure to make reasonable efforts in obtaining relevant non-federal treatment records prior to rendering the decision on appeal.

The appeal for service connection and ratings related to various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, foot fungus, macular degeneration, and sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain the Veteran's SSA records, which are potentially relevant to his SSDI benefits and employment status.