The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to November 22, 2022, for the award of service connection and increased ratings for various knee conditions.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's claim was continuously pursued or that there was a factually ascertainable increase in disability before the date of receipt of his VA 21-526EZ form on November 22, 2022.

Claimed conditions

left knee limitation of extension, residuals of left knee s/p repaired ligament tear (now rated to include post-traumatic arthritis), left knee limitation of flexion (now rated as left patellofemoral chondrosis with limitation of flexion and post-traumatic arthritis), linear scar left anterior knee, residual of s/p meniscectomy, linear scar right anterior knee, residual of s/p meniscectomy

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 17, 2025

Citation

A25099678

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