The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Bilateral pes planus, bilateral valgus deformity, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral subtalar joint dislocation are all granted as secondary to the now-service-connected bilateral pes planus. ,Degenerative joint disease of the feet is also granted as service-connected.,Pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as service-connected.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are related to his active service, meeting all criteria for service connection under Hickson v. West (2003).
- Claimed conditions
- left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral pes planus and bilateral valgus deformity, bilateral plantar fasciitis and bilateral subtalar joint dislocation, degenerative joint disease of the feet, pseudofolliculitis barbae
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20022432
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 20022432.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2012 VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability, and a new addendum opinion is needed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for shin splints, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), stomach disability, and left ear hearing loss due to errors in providing notice of the right to a hearing.
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