The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The epididymitis with left hydrocele was not rated higher than non-compensable, PTSD with MDD prior to December 6, 2019 and thereafter was not rated higher than 50 percent, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee disability) and left knee partial medial meniscotomy with patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee disability) were also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes or warrant higher ratings based on other factors such as social impairment, motivation, mood, and work efficiency.
- Claimed conditions
- epididymitis, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder (MDD), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee disability), left knee partial medial meniscotomy with patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21063566
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 21063566.
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 has determined that the Veteran's epididymitis was incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected epididymitis, status post right hemiscrotal exploration, is granted as of June 21, 2019.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for SMC(k) based on loss of use of creative organ is granted effective June 1, 2016. The claim for additional SMC(k) benefits is denied as the Veteran is already in receipt of SMC(k).
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to December 7, 2015, for the award of service connection for varicocele and epididymitis has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request.
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