The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to their service-connected left foot hallux valgus.,Service connection for a back disorder is denied.,Service connection for migraines is denied.,Service connection for a bilateral elbow disorder is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current bilateral knee osteoarthritis was found to be secondary to their service-connected left foot hallux valgus, as evidenced by the December 2019 private medical opinion which linked the knee condition to the left foot disability.,There is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to a back disorder. The Veteran's STRs are silent for any complaints or treatment records regarding a back issue.,The November 2019 VA examination found that the Veteran's migraines did not have a direct link to service, as they noted symptoms began spontaneously and gradually over time beginning in 1978.,There is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to a bilateral elbow disorder. The STRs are silent for any complaints or treatment records regarding an elbow issue.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral knee osteoarthritis, back disorder, migraines, bilateral elbow disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21071927
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 21071927.
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 Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, high blood pressure, and type II diabetes mellitus due to errors in development of the claim.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.