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Definition

Presumption of soundness is core to all disability claims. Presumption of soundness is a legal assumption that VA employs for the benefit of the Veteran. VA will consider a Veteran to have been in sound condition, i.e., good health, when examined, accepted and enrolled for service, except as to defects, infirmities, or disorders noted at entrance into service, or where clear and unmistakable (obvious or manifest) evidence demonstrates that an injury or disease existed prior to service and was not aggravated by such service. VBA will have considered whether presumption of soundness applies for a claim before requesting an examination from you.

Case Study

Mr. Jones is claiming service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.
Dates of service: January 1990 to January 1991.
Evidence: At the time of the entrance examination, physical examination showed limited range of motion in the knee, and the examiner noted a history of a right knee strain.

The next term is direct service connection.