The Veteran's bilateral knee strains and stress fractures of the heels have been granted service connection, with a 10 percent disability rating for each foot. The right knee strain is rated at 10 percent since discharge from service, while left knee strain remains noncompensable. Stress fractures of both heels are currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to December 8, 2009 and the Veteran has not required assistive devices.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability picture with respect to his bilateral heel fractures has been consistent throughout the appeals period, warranting a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5284 for moderate residuals of foot injuries. The right knee strain is rated at 10 percent since discharge from service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Strain, Left Knee Strain, Stress Fracture of Right Heel, Stress Fracture of Left Heel
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 3, 2016
- Citation
- 1630772
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 1630772.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective July 1, 2025, finding that the reduction was improper and constituted a de facto severance of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle, bilateral knee, and left hip disability. The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left thigh strain with limitation of flexion is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The claims for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and left knee strain are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
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