The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for bilateral knee chondromalacia were denied due to insufficient evidence of a verified or potentially verifiable in-service stressor related to the claimed PTSD, and no functional loss that equates with flexion being limited to 60 degrees or less or extension limited to less than 10 degrees for either knee was demonstrated.
The deciding factor: The lack of credible supporting evidence corroborating the veteran's reported in-service stressors and the absence of a functional limitation that would warrant an increased rating led to the denial of his claims.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Right knee chondromalacia, Left knee chondromalacia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0904641
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
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