The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. Service connection was also denied for peripheral vascular disease as secondary to a lower back disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee was granted based on medical records showing the Veteran had symptoms since his in-service injury.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is no credible evidence linking the current lower back disability or peripheral vascular disease to service. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee is likely due to normal aging rather than a service-connected condition.,Service connection for the lower back and PVD was denied as there was insufficient evidence showing these conditions began during service or were related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back disability, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), osteoarthritis, left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20058831
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 20058831.
What this means for you
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reconsider the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, left knee, right hip, and lower back disabilities. The claim for left hip disability is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, varicose veins, and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and lower back disabilities due to incomplete information about the Veteran's duty status during his periods of active service in the National Guard and Reserves.
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