The Veteran's loss of use of his lower extremities is due to service-connected disabilities, but the evidence does not show that this loss meets the criteria for permanent and total service-connected disability resulting in the loss or loss of use of both feet.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners have consistently opined that the Veteran's loss of use is related to his degenerative joint disease of both knees, which are not service-connected.
- Claimed conditions
- loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, degenerative joint disease of the left knee and right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 30, 2009
- Citation
- 0937269
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 0937269.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused permanent loss of use in his hands and feet, as well as ankylosis in both knees. As a result, he is eligible for an automobile allowance.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, meeting the criteria for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied because his loss of both feet was due to a motor vehicle accident, not service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.
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