The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle disability and bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred or caused by his military service.,Specifically, the VA examiner found no evidence of chronic conditions in the ankles or knees during service or post-service.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the Veteran’s current ankle and knee disabilities and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Ankle Disability, Bilateral Knee Disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20049200
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20049200.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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- Whole decision: Dismissed
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The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence supporting an in-service injury or continuity of symptomatology. The claim for a psychiatric disorder was also denied as the Veteran's statements were found not credible.
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