The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's low back, right hip, and right knee disabilities as they were not related to his active military service or any incident thereof, including his service-connected left knee disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back, right hip, and right knee disabilities to his in-service left knee injury or any other aspect of his military service. The Board found this opinion more credible than the private physician’s statement due to its thoroughness and review of the claims folder.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability (arthritis of the lower back), Right hip disability (arthritis of the right hip), Right knee disability (arthritis of the right knee)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2009
- Citation
- 0904849
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 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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.