The Board granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, lumbar spine disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran was also granted a 10 percent rating prior to September 5, 2024, and a 30 percent rating thereafter for GERD.

The deciding factor: The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disorder, and sleep apnea are related to his active duty service. The persuasive evidence of record is against finding that the Veteran has a diagnosis of asbestosis or shortness of breath for which service connection can be granted.

Claimed conditions

right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, lumbar spine disorder (status post hemilaminectomy, microdiscectomy), obstructive sleep apnea, asbestosis, shortness of breath, bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)

How they argued it

Not specified

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

10%

Decision date

December 1, 2025

Citation

A25102886

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine