The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee arthritis, back condition, and bilateral foot neuropathy as secondary to mild osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine have been denied. The Board found that there is no direct link between the current conditions and active duty service.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his active duty service, including any in-service injuries or exposures.
- Claimed conditions
- mild arthritis, right knee, mild osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine (back disability), neuropathy, right foot, neuropathy, left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21041609
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 21041609.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for migraine headaches, right hand and arm tremors, restless leg syndrome (both left and right legs), neuropathy of the right foot, and neuropathy of the left foot, all related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The VA medical opinions found no link between these conditions and the Veteran's service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's claims for tinnitus, high cholesterol, and hypertension were dismissed because the veteran withdrew them. The claim for neuropathy in the left foot was remanded for further examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain his complete service treatment records and conflicting information regarding his social security number and date of birth. The issues will be reconsidered after these matters have been addressed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for neuropathy of the left and right foot is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion. The eligibility for automobile benefits claim is also remanded as it could impact the service connection decision.
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