The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, meniscal tear, and degenerative arthritis; a back disability including degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spinal fusion; and bilateral pes planus. A 50 percent rating was assigned for major depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's left knee and back disabilities are related to service or his service-connected ankle disabilities, thus resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral pes planus, major depressive disorder, right ankle residuals of reconstructive surgery, left ankle residuals of reconstructive surgery
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 22, 2024
- Citation
- A24067802
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including the failure to obtain relevant treatment records and provide adequate VA examinations.
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.