The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee conditions and gouty arthritis did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 11, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran had other nonservice-connected disabilities impacting his employability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's nonservice-connected gouty arthritis and other joint pain significantly impacted his ability to work, making it unlikely he was unemployable due solely to his service-connected knee conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral knee conditions, gouty arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 8, 2022
- Citation
- 22051189
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 22051189.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a lack of development and consideration of certain private treatment records, as well as VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or information regarding his claimed conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including back pain, prostate cancer, depression, bilateral knee pain, and other health issues. The Board granted SMC based on A&A.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee conditions and bilateral ankle conditions, finding that these conditions are causally related to the Veteran's in-service events, injuries, or diseases.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee conditions, pes planus, bilateral shin splints, and tinnitus due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. Additional evidence is needed from VA.
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.