The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of both knees. However, service connection is not granted as there is no competent medical evidence showing a link between current knee conditions and military service. The claim for chronic low back disorder remains denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs are silent regarding any complaints or treatment for arthritis of the knees or a chronic low back disorder. Post-service medical records show diagnoses but no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to current conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the knees, Chronic low back disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 21, 2016
- Citation
- 1636840
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 1636840.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a chronic low back disorder and a bilateral knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to determine if service connection is warranted for bladder cancer, arthritis of the back and knees, and hearing loss. The Veteran's private treatment records are requested, as well as a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and adjudication of his claims, including a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.
- Granted
The Veteran's arthritis of the hips and knees are granted service connection, but his hand disability is denied.
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