The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection for various disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left knee disability was found to be manifested by pain and tenderness but not by objective evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less; extension limited to 15 degrees or more; recurrent subluxation or objective evidence of slight lateral instability; dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent locking, pain, or effusion into the joint; or impairment of the tibia or fibula. The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the head of the fifth metacarpal were found to be manifested by reduced range of motion with pain but without favorable or unfavorable ankylosis. An anxiety disability was not shown in service and is not otherwise related to service. A sleep apnea disability was not shown in service and is not otherwise related to service. A bilateral eye disability was not shown in service and is not otherwise related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee disability, fracture of the head of the fifth metacarpal (right-hand), anxiety, sleep apnea, vision loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25026190
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and no competent evidence linking the condition to service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
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