Knee decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities due to duty to assist errors. Additional VA examinations are required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease is related to his active duty service.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's left knee tendonitis and degenerative arthritis are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records, including a lack of complete STRs and military personnel records from the Veteran's National Guard service. The VA is required to locate these missing records.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left knee disability was dismissed because the March 2024 decision was not eligible for review under the modernized appeals system.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder disorders, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, left ankle disorder, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral knee disorders, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for GERD was withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in its dismissal.,There is no evidence of chronic UTIs during or prior to the pendency of the claim. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of chronic UTIs based on the provided medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, bilateral hand tenosynovitis, and bilateral shoulder subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis disabilities are service-connected. However, due to an inadequate VA examination for a low back disability, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,New and relevant evidence has been submitted, and readjudication is warranted for all issues related to service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, right foot, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative facet disease was granted an effective date of October 16, 2014.,Separate 10 percent ratings for right knee instability were granted from October 16, 2014.,Separate 10 percent ratings for left knee instability were granted from October 16, 2014.,A 50 percent rating for sleep apnea was granted effective January 12, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral knee disability for further action, including providing the Veteran with notice about his right to a hearing.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's claims of service connection for obesity, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis status post total knee arthroplasty are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, right hip disability, low back disability, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded. The Veteran's right lower arm condition is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to her ability to perform ADLs independently and does not require supervision or protection based on symptoms or injuries. Therefore, eligibility to enroll in the PCAFC program is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's reports regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and left knee disorders due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to his active service, but the VA examinations did not address whether his symptoms caused a functional impairment of earning capacity.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for right knee disability have been dismissed.,For the period from February 1, 2019 to November 16, 2022, the Veteran's headaches were rated at 30%.,The Veteran's plantar fasciitis was denied a rating in excess of 10% for the period from February 1, 2019 to November 16, 2022. However, starting from February 1, 2023, he received a 30% rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and reasonable efforts by the AOJ to obtain them.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of left knee injury, finding that it is related to his active duty training (ACDUTRA) in June 1986.