The Board found no current disability of either knee and denied service connection for bilateral knee arthritis. The left ankle fracture was also denied as the pre-service injury did not aggravate during service.
The deciding factor: There is clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's left ankle fracture occurred prior to service, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing any increase in severity of the pre-existing condition during service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral knee arthritis, left ankle fracture
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2010
- Citation
- 1026779
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1026779.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right lower leg disability (claimed as right shin splints) due to insufficient evidence linking his current condition to his active service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current right leg disability and that any symptoms he experienced were related to bilateral knee arthritis, which is not presumed by VA law.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's left ankle fracture requiring the prescribed use of a CAM walker boot is not considered akin to immobilization by cast, and therefore, he does not meet the criteria for a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed within one year of the rating decision, and no good cause for extension was presented.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed within one year of the May 31, 2024 rating decision.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.