The Board found no objective indications of a chronic undiagnosed illness manifested by muscle and joint pain. The veteran's complaints were attributed to known clinical diagnoses, such as low back strain, cervical strain, patellofemoral joint disturbance, and shoulder tendonitis.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by the veteran's reported muscle and joint pain that cannot be explained by his service-connected conditions or intercurrent nonservice-related factors.
- Claimed conditions
- muscle and joint pain, lumbosacral joint complaints, cervical joint complaints, knee pain, shoulder pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 6, 2006
- Citation
- 0603253
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 foot pain, knee pain, low back pain, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a need for further development of evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's fibromyositis of spinal muscles, including without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's diabetes and knee pain are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, with obesity as an intermediate step.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a Level 2 stipend under the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers due to his inability to self-sustain in the community.
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