The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for musculoskeletal chest pain disorder, post-operative residuals of a left wrist ganglion cyst excision, and chronic right ankle sprain. The RO granted service connection for mixed tension vascular headaches, lumbosacral strain, cervical spine degenerative changes with muscle strain symptoms, and right knee retropatellar femoral pain syndrome.
The deciding factor: The veteran did not provide objective evidence of a musculoskeletal chest pain disorder in service or at any time thereafter. The post-operative residuals of the left wrist ganglion cyst excision have not been manifested by ankylosis of the thumb, tender or painful scar, or exfoliation, exudation, or itching of an exposed surface. The chronic right ankle sprain has not resulted in moderate limitation of ankle motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Musculoskeletal Chest Pain Disorder, Post Operative Residuals of a Left Wrist Ganglion Cyst Excision, Chronic Right Ankle Sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 3, 2002
- Citation
- 0211198
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 0211198.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip strain with limitation of abduction, extension, and flexion, left hip strain with limitation of extension and flexion, and chronic ankle sprain were denied in June 2017. The Veteran did not file a timely appeal.,The Veteran requested readjudication of her claims on May 13, 2021, but the effective date for service connection was determined to be May 13, 2021, as she did not submit a substantive appeal within the required time frame.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's chronic right ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease, effective from the date of the decision.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for chronic right ankle sprain was denied. However, the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for migraine headaches prior to November 29, 2014, and thereafter, was granted with an effective date of November 29, 2014.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right hip strain, left shoulder impingement and arthroscopic debridement with residual scar, chronic right ankle sprain, and left ankle degenerative joint disease were denied. The disabilities are rated based on their direct effects rather than any presumption or secondary theory.
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.