The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis, thoracolumbar spine DJD and strain, and cervical spine DJD have been granted service connection. The initial rating for CFS has also been increased to 60 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supported the Veteran's claims of in-service injury and current disability, with credible statements from the Veteran regarding his knee pain and back issues beginning during service. The VA examiners' opinions were not probative as they relied solely on the absence of records without explaining why it weighed against the Veteran's claim.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DJD) and strain, cervical spine DJD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- May 31, 2022
- Citation
- 22031811
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 22031811.
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 expanded the scope of the claim for major depression to encompass any mental health disability raised by the record and has remanded six issues for additional development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including effective date determinations and service connection determinations. The Veteran's service records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital are requested to be obtained.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee disability, and right knee disability. Service connection for a skin condition is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for the Veteran's knee and palatal tympanic myocronus claims were inadequate, and thus these cases must be remanded to obtain new evaluations.
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.