The Board denied service connection for arthritis of both legs and found that the veteran's claims to reopen his back, hip, and left foot disorders were not supported by new and material evidence.
The deciding factor: The medical records did not show a diagnosis of arthritis of the legs during or within one year after separation from service. The Board also noted that no new and material evidence had been submitted since the previous decisions to reopen his claims for back, hip, and left foot disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis of both legs
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 14, 2002
- Citation
- 0201512
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0201512.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various joint disabilities, including arthritis of the hands, feet, legs, and shoulders, were granted. The conditions are considered to be due to natural progression or injury during service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of previously denied claims are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including SSA disability records and treatment records from Rodriguez Hospital and Damas Hospital in Puerto Rico. The Veteran will also be provided a notice letter explaining what evidence is needed to substantiate his claims.
- Whole decision: Denied
The veteran's non-service-connected disabilities (arthritis of both legs, umbilical hernia, and hypertrophic eczema) do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on a need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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