Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee. Service connection is denied for bilateral pes planus, low back disorder, residuals of a left leg fracture, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, right hallux valgus (bunions), and left hallux valgus (bunions). The cases are remanded for further action.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs show arthritis in the knees and back during service. Service connection is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the right knee, Degenerative arthritis of the left knee, Bilateral pes planus, Low back disorder, Residuals of a left leg fracture, Left ankle disorder, Right ankle disorder, Right hallux valgus (claimed as bunions), Left hallux valgus (claimed as bunions)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20000134
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 Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee strain, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for a right ankle disorder. Other claims were denied or remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a low back disorder to correct duty to assist errors, as the previous VA examinations and opinions are inadequate.
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