The Board affirms the denial of service connection for a right below the knee amputation, but grants it based on secondary service connection due to a fall caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran fell when his right knee gave out, which was related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. This fall resulted in an infection and required a right below the knee amputation. The Board found that it is as least as likely as not that this amputation was caused by his service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Below the Knee Amputation
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2018
- Citation
- 1801949
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 1801949.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 Board has granted service connection for PVD affecting both lower extremities and left and right below the knee amputations. The Veteran's hypertension is also rated at the initial 10 percent level.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right below the knee amputation was not caused by VA negligence, and his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for individual unemployability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right below the knee amputation and amputation of left toes, both claimed as secondary to frostbite, are denied. The claim for service connection for head pain is also denied due to lack of evidence supporting a direct link to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran's service-connected mechanical lower back pain and right below the knee amputation were both granted increased ratings, with the back disability receiving a 40 percent rating effective from May 31, 1994.
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