The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease, arthritis in the left foot, osteoarthritis in the right knee, osteoarthritis in the left knee, osteoarthritis in the right hip, and osteoarthritis in the left hip. The decision was based on a finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting back injury prior to service which did not increase in disability during service and was not aggravated beyond its natural progression.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD), arthritis in the left foot, osteoarthritis in the right knee, osteoarthritis in the left knee, osteoarthritis in the right hip, osteoarthritis in the left hip
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19104066
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative joint disease but remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected back disability was granted a 40 percent evaluation, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a right knee disability because the Veteran has not had a VA examination to determine if the disability is related to service. The Board will consider new evidence submitted during an applicable evidentiary window.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disability, finding that a VA examination is needed to determine if her hip disabilities are related to service or secondary to her service-connected scoliosis.
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