The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis, including of the left ankle and lumbosacral spine, hips, and knees, was incurred in active service. The RO previously denied these claims due to lack of evidence linking them to service.
The deciding factor: Medical evidence established a link between the veteran's military service as a paratrooper and his current osteoarthritis, including that of the left ankle and lumbosacral spine, hips, and knees.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ankle osteoarthritis, Osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine, Osteoarthritis of hips, Osteoarthritis of knees
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2003
- Citation
- 0316168
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 0316168.
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 service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance of another person due to functional limitations, but additional compensation under SMC(r)(1) or SMC(r)(2) is precluded as he does not meet the threshold requirement for consideration.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, especially his left ankle disability, have rendered him unemployable since March 1, 2009. The Board has determined that a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis is warranted for this period.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is now rated at 30 percent, effective February 17, 2020. His low back disability remains rated at 20 percent.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant due to his inability to demonstrate permanent and total disability as defined by VA regulations.
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