The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support higher ratings or service connection for the conditions listed, including shin splints, knee pain, ankle pain, sciatic nerve impingement, and tibial stress fracture.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not establish that any of the Veteran's current conditions were related to her service-connected shin splints or other service-connected disabilities. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran’s current knee and ankle issues are more likely due to non-service-related causes, such as psoriatic arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- Right leg shin splints, Left leg shin splints, Right knee pain, Left knee pain, Right ankle pain, Left ankle pain, Right lower extremity sciatic nerve impingement, Left tibial stress fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20013090
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 20013090.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee pain and right hip pain due to insufficient medical evidence on file regarding their etiology. The AOJ is required to obtain an adequate opinion from a qualified medical examiner.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral shin splints are rated at a 10 percent rating, effective September 24, 2020. Service connection for hypertension is denied.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all claims for service connection as the AOJ had not yet issued a decision on these issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the October 2024 decision denying service connection for right knee pain is flawed due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete record of Reserve service. The case is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination, complete military records, and provide an updated medical opinion.
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