The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees and lumbosacral spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that current arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was less likely related to service, and minimal arthritic changes in the knees suggested they began more proximal to the present than to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- osteoarthritis of the knees, osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2006
- Citation
- 0609395
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees and thoracolumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the low back and knees, as well as increased ratings for prostatitis and epididymitis, tinea versicolor, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris, a shell fragment wound to the left shoulder and upper back, a shell fragment wound scar of the upper left arm, and a right inguinal hernia. The veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on being housebound.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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.