The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of multiple joints, including his shoulders and knees, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA examination did not show any chronic residual disability from these injuries at separation. The most probative medical evidence does not support a connection to military service. Additionally, there is no evidence showing that the arthritis is proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected left ankle disability.
The deciding factor: The veteran's diagnosed arthritis of multiple joints was not shown to be related to his military service and did not develop within one year post-service as a presumptive condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of multiple joints (previously claimed as residuals of injuries to the shoulders and knees), Degenerative arthritis of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 12, 2005
- Citation
- 0500943
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 0500943.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Partly granted
The Board granted initial evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and right leg length discrepancy, while denying an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right hip sprain with impairment of the thigh and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right foot degenerative arthritis.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and tendonitis and instability of the right ankle, finding that there is equipoise in the evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to active service.,Service connection was denied for right metatarsus primus varus as secondary to right hallux valgus due to a lack of continuity of symptomatology.
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