CAVC Case 22-7103: Back
CAVCReal U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decision · 2022-09-20 · PIETSCH, Judge
This is a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims — the federal court that reviews Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions, one level above the Board. Court decisions can vacate, reverse, or affirm what the Board did.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Conditions Claimed
BackKneeHearing LossTinnitusSleep ApneaSkinRespiratoryEyeArthritis
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Issues on Appeal
Back ConditionService ConnectionKnee ConditionHearing LossSleep Apnea
Why It Was Decided This Way
The VA treatment provider who evaluated him submitted nexus letters dated in March 2016.
According to the VA treatment provider, he wrote these nexus statements based on his limited information and the appellant's history.
In the September 2022 decision,the Board denied entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disorder,right and left knee disorder,and lumbar spine disorder.
In this decision,the Board found that the evidence is persuasively against finding that the appellant's claimed bilateral foot disorder,right and left knee disorder and current lumbar spine disorder first manifested during service or within 1 year of separation,or that it is otherwise due to his active service.
Credibility Analysis The appellant contends that the Board erred in finding that a VA examination is not necessary to substantiate his claims for service connection for a bilateral foot condition and for the right and left knee conditions.
First,the appellant maintains that the Board failed to lay an adequate foundation for its negative credibility findings because it relied on the absence of evidence as substantive negative evidence.
258,272 (2015), the appellant maintains that [b]efore relying on the absence of evidence to impugn a veteran's credibility,the Board must 'first establish a proper foundation for drawing inferences against a claimant from an absence of documentation.
Establishing that a disability is service connected for purposes of entitlement to VA disability benefits generally requires medical or,in certain circumstances,lay evidence of (1)a current disability,(2)incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury in service,and (3)a nexus between the claimed in-service injury or disease and the current disability.
Authorities Cited
Denial Type
Non Denial Outcome
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