The Board has determined that the veteran's current arthritis, including in his fingers, hands, arms, shoulders, hips, legs, and lower extremities, as well as degenerative joint disease of the spine, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are therefore denied.
The deciding factor: Service medical records did not show any complaints or findings of arthritis during active duty. Post-service treatment records indicate that the veteran's current conditions were first diagnosed many years after his separation from service and do not suggest a direct link to military service.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis of the bilateral fingers, hands, arms, and shoulders, arthritis of the bilateral hips, legs, and lower extremities, degenerative joint disease of the spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2005
- Citation
- 0511353
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 0511353.
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 Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but the spine and TDIU issues remain pending as they are intertwined with the hypertension issue.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational and vocational experience, leading to a TDIU grant.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The issue of a higher rating for bilateral multifocal lens implants is remanded for additional development.
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