The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the upper extremities is not related to his military service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection. The TDIU issue was also denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: Service records did not show any complaints or diagnoses of arthritis during service. The VA examiners concluded that there is no nexus between current hand arthritis and in-service activities, including repetitive use due to duty requirements.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the upper extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 30, 2014
- Citation
- 1424529
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 1424529.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a painful joint disorder (likely rheumatoid arthritis), right hand disorders, back disorders, and right knee disorders. The Board finds that further development is needed in these areas.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to active service, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
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- Whole decision: Denied
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