The Board has granted service connection for arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral calcaneal spurs of ankles, arthritis of hands, arthritis of feet, and degenerative joint disease of left knee. The other issues were not addressed due to lack of evidence.
The deciding factor: Service records document multiple injuries during active duty service, including back pain and ankle sprains. The Veteran reported a continuity of symptoms since service, but post-service treatment records do not support this claim. Competent medical opinions found no link between the current disabilities and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Arthritis of hands, Bilateral calcaneal spurs of ankles, Arthritis of feet, Degenerative joint disease of left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 16, 2012
- Citation
- 1228264
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 1228264.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's effective date for adding his spouse to his VA disability compensation is denied as he did not meet the eligibility requirement for additional compensation for dependents prior to December 30, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the back, hips, legs, hands and ankles, as well as a lumbar spine disorder, are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed regarding whether these conditions are related to her service or service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted, including degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, arthritis in both knees, radiculopathy affecting both upper extremities, right ear hearing loss, migraine headaches, depressive disorder, and erectile dysfunction.,Service connection is established for all claimed conditions due to their direct link to service.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings was denied. The Board upheld the denial of higher initial ratings for various disabilities, including arthritis and sarcoid arthropathy.
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