The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sickle cell trait with osteoarthritis, back and lower extremity joint pain as secondary to bilateral pes planus, and a right arm disorder. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the veteran's sickle cell trait existed prior to service or was aggravated by service, nor did it establish that he currently had osteoarthritis due to the onset of the abnormality during service. The Board found no new and material evidence for reopening the claim for a right arm disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- sickle cell trait, osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2004
- Citation
- 0411268
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 0411268.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, right hip degenerative joint disease and rheumatoid arthritis with acetabular cyst status post right total hip replacement, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, hypertension, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, fever sores, and a compromised immune system, as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal for special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded to ensure that the appellant receives every possible consideration, including a new VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability as the evidence did not support that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, to include as secondary to service-connected Burkitt's lymphoma, due to inadequate medical opinions and unobtained private treatment records.
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