The Veteran's claims for left knee degenerative joint disease and dental disorder for treatment purposes are granted. The claims for service connection for acute sinus infections, tuberculosis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are denied. The issue of TDIU is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence supported a finding that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease had its onset during service, granting service connection for this condition. However, the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that her acute sinus infections began during service or were related to an in-service injury or disease. Service connection was denied for tuberculosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The issue of TDIU is remanded as it is intertwined with the underlying increased rating appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee degenerative joint disease, acute sinus infections
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19104126
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral achilles tendonitis, gout, diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII), obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression. The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative joint disease, separate ratings for instability of the knees, a separate rating for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, and service connection for bilateral leg pain, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic sinus disability, respiratory disability due to exposure to asbestos, heart murmur, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and SMC based on loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing disorder, dry eye disorder, and urinary disorder. Tinnitus was granted, but the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee degenerative joint disease with instability, right shoulder bicipital tendonitis, and left shoulder bicipital tendonitis do not warrant increased ratings.
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