Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and addressing whether the Veteran's left knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and exogenous obesity are being remanded due to the receipt of new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current hypertension, which remains denied.

The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to an inadequate review and a need for a new medical opinion addressing her care needs.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an earlier effective date and increased evaluation for a temporary 100% rating from March 14, 2022 due to right knee surgery. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not caused by his in-service injury.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disorder and remanded the claim for an increased rating for peptic ulcer disease (PUD). The Veteran's PUD is currently rated at 80 percent, effective April 12, 2024. A new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his PUD during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diagnosed conditions for left knee pain, right knee pain, left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, or back pain. Therefore, service connection is denied for all claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his migraines, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The AOJ should obtain new adequate opinions for these issues.

The Veteran's right knee surgery on January 21, 2020, requiring at least one month of convalescence is granted for a temporary total rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions due to a lack of VA examination, which is necessary to establish the presence of a current disability and its relationship to service. The AOJ must schedule an appropriate clinician to determine if the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee condition had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia patella with meniscal tear and right knee instability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began in service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, along with other disabilities, rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of April 1, 2020. She is granted a TDIU effective from that date.,Effective April 1, 2020, the Veteran also received SMC at the 's' rate due to having one service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling and additional disabilities independently rated at least 60 percent disabling.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal, right knee, and left knee disabilities are granted service connection. The skin condition is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service. Service connection for bilateral foot disability and left ear hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as her right and left foot disabilities. The conditions are related to symptoms she experienced during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right ankle ankylosis and knee replacements, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since January 30, 2024. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of his hands or feet, nor does he have a severe burn injury. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, left knee osteoarthritis, and hypertension do not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person as a result of his service connected disabilities. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for scarring of the lower abdomen and right knee, as well as the TDIU claim due to conflicting evidence in the record regarding the nature and severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is found to be related to service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The claims for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and nerve damage with sore gums are remanded.