The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TMD and a higher initial disability rating for TMD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date prior to April 27, 2020. For service connection of left knee and right knee disabilities, the Board found no probative medical opinion linking these conditions to service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinions were against a direct link between the Veteran's current knee diagnoses and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Osteoarthritis of the Left Knee, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Osteoarthritis of the Right Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 28, 2024
- Citation
- A24050843
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 A24050843.
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 granted service connection for traumatic brain injury and temporomandibular joint disorder, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection for IBS, diverticulitis, and TMD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TMD disability is remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of her condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded for development and adjudication.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for TMD must be remanded to obtain a new VA examination and any outstanding private medical evidence.
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