The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed chronic right arm/hand, low back, and neck disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claims for migraine headaches and initial compensable evaluations for chondromalacia of the knees are addressed in the REMAND portion.
The deciding factor: There is no competent evidence showing a nexus between the Veteran's current chronic right arm/hand, low back, and neck disabilities and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic right arm/hand disability, chronic low back disability, chronic neck disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 14, 2012
- Citation
- 1217193
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1217193.
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: Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder disability and granted service connection for a chronic neck disability.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal, effectively dismissing the case.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the competency of the VA medical examiner who provided a negative nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, psychiatric disability (other specified trauma or stressor related disorder), chronic neck disability, chronic back disability, IBS, and vertigo is granted. The claims for service connection for the neck and back disabilities are remanded.
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