The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are related to service due to continuous symptoms since separation from active duty.
The deciding factor: The Veteran reported in-service jumping with heavy equipment and parachuting, which caused strain on his knees and ankles. He also had a documented left ankle injury during service. The Board found the Veteran's lay statements credible and considered them along with medical evidence to conclude that his current disabilities are related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability (degenerative joint disease), left knee disability (degenerative joint disease), right knee disability (degenerative joint disease), left ankle disability (degenerative arthritis), right ankle disability (degenerative arthritis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 22, 2016
- Citation
- 1637209
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 1637209.
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 Board granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a left knee disability based on new and relevant evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a respiratory disability to include asthma, and a left knee disability to include degenerative joint disease need further review due to incomplete records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include sleep apnea, left foot sprain, left ankle disability, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various spinal and knee disabilities, as well as sleep apnea. Additional medical records are needed to support or refute his claims.
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.