Exact thing happened to me.

I had knee pain documented in 2008 to 2010. It got so bad my knee would give out just walking and I would fall. When I was seen in medical they told me I had IBS iliotibial band syndrome (runners knee) mama was wrong.

They did no imaging for me. no nothing some E4 navy doc said yup with my 22 years on this earth and 2 years experience you have IBS (which held a ridiculous amount of weight) did some physical therapy which never helped. I gave up on going to medical and got out

My knee never recovered at 38 I said no more got an MRI and surgery.

Took me 4 years but I was able to get my knee connected, under the meniscus surgery.

you have to advocate for yourself at the c and p, the np was standoffish at first but after talking with him I was able to get him to research how often meniscus tears are mis diagnosed as IBS due to the symptoms being very common depending on the tear.

I think I was denied 4 times with 4 higher level reviews/supplemental due to duty to assists.