The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the previously denied GERD and low back disability claims, but granted a higher rating of 10% for right knee PFPS from July 26, 2017.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right knee condition was rated based on limitation of motion under DC 5261. The evidence showed no significant instability or subluxation issues, and the Veteran reported full range of motion with occasional pain during flare-ups. No new evidence was presented to reopen previously denied GERD and low back disability claims.
- Claimed conditions
- right PFPS, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, headaches, degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as back condition), rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagitis (claimed as GERD and hernia), sleep apnea, pes planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26016187
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26016187.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
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