The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteopenia (claimed as bone deficiency) secondary to medication was denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee condition with limitation of flexion, right knee condition with instability, and left meniscal tear were partially granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's osteopenia was incurred in service or due to a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current osteopenia to his active duty service or any other service-connected condition. For the left knee conditions, the Board determined that the Veteran's symptoms were not severe enough to warrant higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- osteopenia (claimed as bone deficiency), left knee condition with limitation of flexion, right knee condition with instability, left meniscal tear
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 3, 2026
- Citation
- A26009711
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 A26009711.
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 remanded the claims for left ankle deltoid ligament sprain, left knee strain, and left meniscal tear due to inadequate VA examinations that did not discount the beneficial effects of pain medications. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronicity in service and noting that his current condition did not manifest within one year post-service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's left knee disability was less likely related to service.
- Granted
The Board has granted a TDIU from March 1, 2014, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
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.