The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and back disorders, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service existence or aggravation. The Board also found that the current disabilities were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection as they could not be linked to his military service due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service existence or aggravation, and because there was no medical opinion linking the current disabilities to his service-connected pes planus.
- Claimed conditions
- Pain in the muscles of the left leg, Traumatic arthritis of the right talonavicular joint, Left ankle disorder, Right knee disorder, Left knee disorder, Low back disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 8, 2017
- Citation
- 1703805
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 1703805.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Veteran's right knee disorder is being remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its etiology.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not show an in-service onset or relationship to service.
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