The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and chronic sinusitis, as well as reopening of a claim for service connection for a low back disorder were all denied. The decision also found that the June 2011 rating decision denying service connection for a low back disorder is final.
The deciding factor: The evidence submitted since the June 2011 decision did not provide a medical nexus between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service, which was required to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee, Left Knee, Chronic Sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19137863
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,162 · Granted: 21% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19137863.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee and back disabilities, as well as radiculopathy in the right lower extremity (RLE) and left lower extremity (LLE), have been granted. Service connection is also granted for a right hip disability secondary to his back disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA medical exams provided are inadequate for rating purposes and remands the case to obtain an adequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Veteran is entitled to a higher disability rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with a rating of 30% for each knee. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 30 percent initial disability rating for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis from November 27, 2023. The Veteran's earlier effective dates of service connection are also confirmed.
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