The Veteran's left knee disability manifested by pain is granted, with the reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,Service connection for signs and symptoms involving the lower respiratory system due to undiagnosed illness is granted, with the reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,An increased rating of 50 percent for PTSD is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's left knee disability manifested by pain had its onset during active duty service. The Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy, which assists him in establishing both the current disability and the incurrence of the disability itself.,Evidence shows that the Veteran has experienced signs and symptoms involving the lower respiratory system since his deployment to Iraq without a known clinical diagnosis, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 U.S.C. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting an increased rating of 50 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee disability manifested by pain, signs and symptoms involving the lower respiratory system due to undiagnosed illness
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- March 25, 2026
- Citation
- A26026963
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26026963.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus, right knee disability, left knee disability, neck disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are all granted as service-connected.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis, but granted service connection for signs and symptoms involving the lower respiratory system due to undiagnosed illness. Sleep apnea was remanded for further consideration.
- Partly granted
Service connection for the left ankle disability and scars from cyst removal on head is granted. All other conditions are either denied or remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, including right shoulder glenohumeral degenerative arthritis, left shoulder glenohumbral degenerative arthritis, bilateral hand osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee, wrist, back, elbow, and hip disabilities manifested by pain are granted. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension is remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.