The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of both hands did not have onset during service or within one year of service and was not caused or aggravated by his active service. Therefore, service connection for arthritis of both hands is denied.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence of old fractures seen in any X-ray images of the veteran's hands that were taken between 2000 and 2006, and the examiner concluded that the veteran's degenerative joint disease was less likely as not caused by previous fractures in service.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis of both hands
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 22, 2008
- Citation
- 0832502
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 0832502.
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 Veteran's service connection claims for various joint disabilities, including arthritis of the hands, feet, legs, and shoulders, were granted. The conditions are considered to be due to natural progression or injury during service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of both hands is service-connected, as it is considered to be at least as likely as not due to his normal course of aging rather than being incurred in or aggravated by service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee, bilateral foot disorder, arthritis of both hands, and a disability manifested by burning and dry eyes as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral CTS and OSA are found to be related to his service, with arthritis of both hands also being granted. The reduction in VA compensation benefits for military drill pay is upheld.
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