The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied. The issue of new and material evidence for cervical osteoarthritis and left shoulder disorder was granted, but the veteran's request for a compensable evaluation for his left wrist ganglion cyst was denied.,The veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish that his current conditions are related to service.
The deciding factor: The medical records do not show any link between the veteran's current back, cervical, or shoulder disorders and his military service. The VA treatment records from 1976 onwards noted complaints of pain but did not provide a nexus opinion.,New evidence has been submitted that is significant enough to reopen the claims for cervical osteoarthritis and left shoulder disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Back Disorder, Cervical Osteoarthritis, Left Shoulder Disorder, Left Wrist Ganglion Cyst
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2004
- Citation
- 0404501
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 0404501.
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 remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and a gynecological disorder to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for multiple service-connected conditions and denied service connection for several additional conditions, including tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, left sciatic radicular pain of the left leg, traumatic brain injury (TBI), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome, and a back disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and service connection for depression, but granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD and back disorder, granted an increased rating of 50% for migraine headaches from December 2, 2020, but denied increased ratings for left foot amputation and scars.
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.