Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for left knee tendonitis and remanded the issues of service connection for right knee disability and lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and potential errors in decision-making. The Appellant's claims will be reconsidered with new VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee disability was not rated higher than 10 percent, the right knee scar did not meet criteria for a compensable rating, and there was no evidence of left forearm or right forearm disorders. Service connection was denied for right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right foot disorders (flat foot, hallux valgus, hammer toe). Tinnitus was presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for right knee pain, low back pain, bilateral pes planus, and left knee pain as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disabilities on a direct basis only due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during her active duty or are related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted, but his right ear hearing loss and right shoulder disability are denied. The Veteran's right clavicle, scapula, AC joint and sternoclavicular joint conditions are granted a 20 percent rating, while allergic rhinitis, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral hip disability, and low back disability are denied.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his authorized representative.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, right shoulder, and right wrist disabilities. The AOJ is directed to obtain complete service treatment records and schedule an examination to address the nature and etiology of any current knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia patella is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that the condition did not warrant a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261, as his range of motion was within normal limits with some pain but no instability.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee meniscal tear, chronic kidney disease, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right foot plantar fasciitis due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began in service and has continued to the present.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss (BHL) was denied as there is no evidence of current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for painful right knee scars was denied as the evidence did not demonstrate four or more painful scars, each associated with underlying soft tissue damage in an area of at least 6 square inches (39 sq. cm.).,PTSD ratings were also remanded due to insufficient evidence showing impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of February 21, 2020 for a 20% evaluation of his right knee painful surgical scars. The evidence did not show worsening within one year prior to the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee tendinitis, left ankle sprain, and a right ankle pain disability have been granted. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is dismissed due to the absence of a decision on the issue.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been granted. The specific conditions, including right knee strain with instability, bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, and respiratory disorder, are all associated with service exposure in the Gulf War. The decision also includes a grant of SMC based on loss or use of a creative organ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle recurrent sprain and right knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new VA opinion to address the nature, date of initial onset, and etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot cold injury, migraines, and right ear hearing loss are dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss is also dismissed.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and bilateral knee conditions are dismissed.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar condition, bilateral hip conditions, and a right foot cold injury are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee strain with LCL sprain was manifest by flexion limited to 65 degrees during the period on appeal, warranting a 10 percent rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral knees and lower back was denied due to a late filing of the Board Appeal request, which is not considered timely given the one-year deadline from the date of the rating decision. The VA has determined that good cause was not shown to extend the time limit.