The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative joint disease of the left leg (claimed as secondary to intervertebral disc syndrome), a left ankle disability, and a right ankle disability. The gastrointestinal disability claim was also denied. Service connection is presumed for arthritis or degenerative joint disease within one year after separation from service.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show current disabilities for the claimed conditions and there was no competent medical evidence linking them to service or service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Knee, Gastrointestinal Disability (including Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)), Left Ankle Disorder, Right Ankle Disorder
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2006
- Citation
- 0600366
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder and a gastrointestinal disorder, as the evidence did not support current diagnoses or functional impairments related to these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claims.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for sinusitis and service connection for allergic rhinitis, bilateral foot corns, left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, right ankle disorder, and toenail disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board reopened the claims for service connection for asthma and right knee disorder, but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's left knee and right ankle claims were denied, while his left ankle claim was granted a 20 percent rating.
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