The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive period.,Service connection was also denied for residuals of pneumothorax with an initial rating in excess of 10 percent and chest scars.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities did not manifest during service or within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology was not established. The medical evidence provided by VA examiners supported this conclusion.,For residuals of pneumothorax, the initial rating in excess of 10 percent was denied as there was no evidence showing FEV-1/FVC below 56% or DLCO (SB) below 56%. For chest scars, a compensable rating was denied due to the nature and extent of the scars.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18103868
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 18103868.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2012 VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability, and a new addendum opinion is needed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.
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