The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety was denied as the earliest possible effective date is April 8, 2022.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his left knee patellofemoral syndrome resulting in limitation of extension and flexion were denied because it was not factually ascertainable that an increase occurred prior to September 15, 2021.,Similarly, the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his right knee patellofemoral syndrome resulting in limitation of extension and flexion were denied as well.
The deciding factor: The earliest possible effective date is April 8, 2022 when the Veteran filed a claim for service connection.,There was no evidence showing an increase in disability prior to September 15, 2021. The private DBQ submitted by the Veteran with his April 2022 filing was not sufficient to establish that an increase occurred before this date.,Similarly, there was no evidence showing an increase in disability prior to September 15, 2021 for the right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The private DBQ submitted by the Veteran with his April 2022 filing was not sufficient to establish that an increase occurred before this date.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified depressive disorder, left knee patellofemoral syndrome resulting in limitation of extension, left knee patellofemoral syndrome resulting in limitation of flexion, right knee patellofemoral syndrome resulting in limitation of extension, right knee patellofemoral syndrome resulting in limitation of flexion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 12, 2024
- Citation
- A24083287
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 A24083287.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders were rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective May 6, 2015.,Effective May 6, 2015, the Veteran was granted an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current unspecified depressive disorder is related to his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia disorder is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not sufficient to reflect his disability picture.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted, while the claim for PTSD remains denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence and in-service stressor confirmation.
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