Knee decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but denied for hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, left ankle, and right wrist disabilities, finding that each is at least as likely as not incurred during the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by credible evidence and must be remanded to allow for further review.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40 percent rating, right knee and left knee disabilities are each granted a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings was denied. The initial rating for somatic symptom disorder remains at 50 percent, right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10%, and left knee instability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder pain and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine conditions as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus due to inadequate opinions addressing aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and he is now rated at a 70 percent disability rating for his psychiatric condition. The Veteran also received grants for the service connection of various disabilities including right hand carpal tunnel, left hand carpal tunnel, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee and ankle conditions, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions were dismissed as the issues were improperly docketed and not properly appealed to the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee disorders and low back disorder, prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment consistent with his education and experience. The Board found that the combined effects of these conditions made it impossible for the Veteran to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 27, 2023 for the award of service connection for left knee strain was denied. The Veteran also had a claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee strain which was also denied.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received since the August 2020 rating decision, warranting readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine (also claimed as a neck condition), lumbosacral strain, left hip strain, right hip strain, and right knee strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inconsistencies in the January 2022 VA examination reports and a need for clarification regarding the Veteran's intent when filing his Notice of Disagreement. The AOJ is directed to schedule new examinations, obtain retrospective medical opinions, and clarify the severity of the Veteran's disabilities during the relevant period on appeal.

The Veteran's left knee instability and limitation of extension associated with degenerative joint disease are rated at 20 percent from June 14, 2010 to January 11, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to dress, undress, bathe, groom himself, prepare meals, and transport himself without the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance since October 10, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for disabilities of the back, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chondromalacia of the left knee, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the presumptive period after service. The Board also noted that her medical discharge from service was due to pes planus and not any left knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.