The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder as they did not have their onsets during service or within one year of discharge and are not otherwise related to service.
The deciding factor: The VA RN's opinions were clear and unequivocal, based on the relevant information including the Veteran's statements, STRs, post-service records, and relevant medical research. The examiner noted the acute nature of the in-service back injury and lack of any STRs for the other claimed conditions as well as the Veteran's express denial of relevant conditions at separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- back disorder, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, left foot disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2025
- Citation
- 25012809
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