The Board granted earlier effective dates for the service-connected knee disabilities and TDIU, all effective from April 24, 2019.
The deciding factor: The Board found that an ascertainable increase in disability existed as of April 24, 2019, under 38 C.F.R. § 3.400(o)(2), and granted the earlier effective dates based on the benefit-of-the-doubt rule.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee tendonitis, chondromalacia patellae, meniscal tear with repair (limitation of flexion), right knee tendonitis, chondromalacia patellae, and meniscal tear with repair (limitation of flexion), left knee tendonitis, chondromalacia patellae, and meniscal tear with repair (limitation of extension), right knee tendonitis, chondromalacia patellae, and meniscal tear with repair (limitation of extension)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- March 14, 2025
- Citation
- A25024066
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral flat foot (pes planus) to include plantar fasciitis, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, and right knee tendonitis. Bilateral hearing loss was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for chronic rhinitis, allergic or non-allergic and urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) as there was insufficient evidence to establish a causal link between the claimed conditions and the Veteran's military service. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for left and right knee tendonitis as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of bilateral knee tendonitis during the pendency of the claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right knee tendonitis, right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and acne as further development is needed to determine their etiology.
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