The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a bilateral knee disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a verified non-combat stressor in service on which to base a diagnosis of PTSD. Osteoarthritis of the knees was also found not related to service.
The deciding factor: There is no verified combat-related stressor for PTSD, and medical evidence does not support a finding that osteoarthritis of the knees is related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)), Osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2013
- Citation
- 1305047
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1305047.
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 Veteran's PTSD and bilateral knee conditions are found to meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation, but his claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision is based on incomplete or missing service records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied for ratings in excess of 50 percent prior to July 13, 2021 and for a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date. The appeal is based on the merits of his service-connected condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.