The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right hip, left hip, right ankle, and left ankle are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.
The deciding factor: Multiple VA examinations have been conducted and multiple opinions have been obtained in connection with these claims. None of these opinions provided an adequate rationale as to whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have caused or aggravated his current bilateral hip and ankle disabilities, so all reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hip Degenerative Arthritis, Left Hip Degenerative Arthritis, Right Ankle Degenerative Arthritis, Left Ankle Degenerative Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2017
- Citation
- 1752105
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 1752105.
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 Board denied increased ratings for left thigh and right thigh limitation of extension, flexion, as well as left hip bursitis with adduction limitation. The Veteran's range of motion was found to be limited by pain but not significantly affecting function.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as the claims have been fully granted with effective dates assigned.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected right hip disabilities have been granted increased evaluations, with the effective date being October 25, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for cause of death due to a need for additional evidence and an adequate medical examination.
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