The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Right knee strain with limitation of flexion is rated at 10 percent and right knee instability is separately rated at 10 percent. The left knee strain with limitation of extension is rated at 20 percent from August 22, 2019, and left knee instability is separately rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's initial claims for bilateral knee pain were denied in November 2011 but reopened on March 27, 2017. The effective date of service connection for right and left knee disabilities was assigned as March 20, 2017.,SMC based on housebound status is not granted earlier than January 6, 2017.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were denied due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings or effective dates for the service-connected conditions. The criteria for increased ratings and effective dates have not been met.
- Claimed conditions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Right Knee Strain with Limitation of Flexion, Left Knee Strain with Limitation of Extension, Right Knee Instability, Left Knee Instability
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20024055
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 20024055.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated and denied for increased ratings, with some conditions receiving specific disability ratings. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for her total right knee replacement from September 4, 2015 onwards, but the other claims are denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected left knee and left ankle conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified insomnia disorder.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and heart disability, including coronary artery disease, as these conditions are found to be proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
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