The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred during his period of active service, and the Board found no evidence to support a finding that they are related to service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease in both knees are more likely due to the Veteran’s occupation as a plumber and age-related factors rather than any incident during his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 29, 2018
- Citation
- 18130395
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 18130395.
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 left knee disability is rated at 40 percent for limitation of extension, effective December 18, 2025. The Veteran also received separate ratings for instability and dislocation of semilunar cartilage.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to inadequate examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease resulted in functional loss due to pain, instability, and required the use of a walker. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 0 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU from July 27, 2007.
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