The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 11, 2019, for service connection of right knee strain and degenerative arthritis with status-post total knee replacement, as well as for right knee residual surgical scars. The earliest valid claim was received on July 11, 2019.

The deciding factor: The Board found no basis under the law to award an effective date earlier than July 11, 2019, as there was no earlier valid formal or informal pending claim of record.

Claimed conditions

right knee strain, degenerative arthritis with status-post total knee replacement, right knee residual surgical scars

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 21, 2025

Citation

A25004987

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