The Veteran's left foot, knee, and ankle disabilities were granted service connection as they are considered direct service-connected based on their onset during active duty.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records show the Veteran had pain in his feet, knees, and ankles during training exercises, which led to diagnoses of pes planus, left knee strain, and lateral collateral ligament strain. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are related to service due to their onset during active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- pes planus of the left foot with metatarsalgia, left knee strain, lateral collateral ligament strain of the left ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 4, 2023
- Citation
- 23020479
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 23020479.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to untimely filing of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, shin splints of the right leg, and shin splints of the left leg are being remanded due to a failure to obtain VA examinations and medical nexus opinions.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial evaluations for left knee strain, limitation of extension and flexion were both denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the merits as they have no jurisdiction.
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