The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Veteran's PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and sleep disturbance are granted with a 50% rating. The Veteran's cervical strain is denied as not warranting a higher rating. The Veteran's right shoulder strain is denied as not warranting a higher rating. The Veteran's right knee tendonitis with shin splints is denied as not warranting a higher rating. The Veteran's BPH is denied as not warranting a higher rating. The Veteran's left shin splint is denied as not warranting a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support service connection for the claimed conditions, and the current ratings are based on the severity of symptoms and functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Left Knee Disability"}, {"condition_name":"Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)"}, {"condition_name":"Depression"}, {"condition_name":"Anxiety"}, {"condition_name":"Insomnia"}, {"condition_name":"Sleep Disturbance"}, {"condition_name":"Cervical Strain"}, {"condition_name":"Right Shoulder Strain"}, {"condition_name":"Right Knee Tendonitis with Shin Splints"}, {"condition_name":"Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)"}, {"condition_name":"Left Shin Splint"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20074389
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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