The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints to include the spine, shoulders, hips, ankles, and wrists, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected trapezitis of the left side of the back. The Board found that the veteran's arthritis was not present during service or for many years later and is not causally related to an incident of service or to his service-connected trapezitis.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners determined that the veteran's current multiple joint conditions are less likely than not secondary to any event or injury that happened during his military service, but rather are mostly secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. The examiner also stated that the veteran's service-connected trapezitis was benign and resolved.
- Claimed conditions
- Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2005
- Citation
- 0513541
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 0513541.
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 right knee strain with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which was granted for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right knee disability, including post-total knee arthroplasty, is rated at 30% effective December 1, 2018. The TDIU claim was granted from January 1, 2018.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
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