The Board denied service connection for left foot, right foot, left knee, and right knee disorders due to a lack of current diagnoses.,Service connection was also denied for low back disorder and bilateral shin splints as there is no evidence of chronic conditions related to military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran did not have any diagnosed foot or knee disorders during his active duty, nor after separation. The VA examiner determined that the current diagnoses are not related to service.,For low back disorder and bilateral shin splints, the VA examiner noted that there was no chronicity of symptoms from service until 2012, which is too late for a presumptive basis.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"left foot disorder"}, {"condition_name":"right foot disorder"}, {"condition_name":"left knee disorder"}, {"condition_name":"right knee disorder"}, {"condition_name":"low back disorder"}, {"condition_name":"left leg shin splints"}, {"condition_name":"right leg shin splints"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19101940
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.