The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine DDD and thoracic spine scoliosis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active service.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record was not persuasive to establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and right low back disorder, including lumbar DDD and thoracic scoliosis, and his period of active service. The most probative evidence indicated that these conditions were more likely due to normal aging processes.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis, right knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis, low back disorders, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) and thoracic spine scoliosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 25, 2025
- Citation
- A25027763
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.
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The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, migraines, left and right knee disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea due to missing military records and inadequate examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders to obtain a new examination that adequately addresses all pertinent evidence of record.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis was dismissed due to a untimely notice of disagreement. The left knee disorder claim is remanded for further action.
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