The Veteran's service-connected mixed connective tissue disease (Marfan syndrome) has been granted separate ratings for multiple joint disabilities, including right and left knee pain with limited flexion, right and left ankle pain with limited range of motion, right and left hand/finger pain with limited range of motion, and lumbar spine DDD.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's connective tissue disease (Marfan syndrome) was found to affect multiple joints including the knees, ankles, hands, fingers, and back, resulting in separate ratings for each affected joint based on their individual limitations.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee, Left Knee, Right Ankle, Left Ankle, Right Hand/Fingers, Left Hand/Fingers, Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19190174
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19190174.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is entitled to an earlier effective date of February 29, 2000, for an award of TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to his service-connected back and left knee disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted restoration of service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease, finding that the severance of these conditions was improper.
- Partly granted
The Board granted clothing allowances for a back brace and wheelchair, but denied them for a neck brace, bilateral knee braces, pain medication therapy, cane, and walker.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected TBI, bilateral knees, left metatarsal avulsion residuals, left wrist condition, and migraines are being remanded for further evaluation due to the potential worsening of these conditions.,The Veteran's rib/sternum condition, left ankle condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, insomnia, and kidney condition (claimed as rhabdomyolysis) are also being remanded for further evaluation.
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.