The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a compensable rating for the bilateral knee disability, as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors supporting the diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's knee condition did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The lack of verified combat experience or credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors, coupled with a lack of objective medical evidence linking the Veteran’s current symptoms to his military service, led to the denial of both claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Skin disorder, Bilateral patellofemoral syndrome with chondromalacia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 2, 2009
- Citation
- 0907558
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 an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, as it needs a medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the condition prior to October 16, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another since September 30, 2020.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and right hand strain, increased the ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, dyshidrotic eczema, and hypertension, and denied service connection for Parkinsonism, pes planus/flat feet, GERD, tinea versicolor, allergic rhinitis, and tinnitus. The Board also granted a TDIU.
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