The Veteran's left knee disability, tinnitus, and dysthymia were denied service connection. The Veteran's PTSD claim is moot as it was already covered by the granted dysthymia.,A disability rating in excess of 50 percent for dysthymia was not granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the left knee disability, tinnitus, or PTSD began during service and were related to service. The Veteran's dysthymia manifested with occupational and social impairment but without deficiencies in most areas.,The symptoms of dysthymia more closely approximated those associated with a 50 percent rating (occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity) rather than the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee disability, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dysthymia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- June 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19145927
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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