The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left and right thumb conditions, as well as his attempt to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.
The deciding factor: The new evidence submitted by the Veteran was insufficient to show that his arthritis of multiple joints were incurred in or aggravated by service, and there was no evidence showing that his left and right thumb conditions are related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of Multiple Joints, Left Thumb Condition, Right Thumb Condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2014
- Citation
- 1445566
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 1445566.
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 Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, cervical spine DDD with cervical radiculopathy, and bilateral upper extremity CTS. Service connection is denied for a right thumb condition, right shoulder strain with osteoarthritis, and left and right upper extremity neurological disorders.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for gastritis with duodenitis and service connection for a left thumb condition, lumbar spine condition, and breast cancer and female reproductive health conditions due to inadequate evidence and failure to ensure VA fulfilled its duty to assist in obtaining private treatment records.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, not a single disability, prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right thumb condition, left thumb condition, and low back disability due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's complaints of pain are considered in determining whether there is a current diagnosis or functional impairment.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.