The Board has determined that arthritis of multiple joints, to include arthritis of the back, did not manifest in service or within one year following separation and is not otherwise related to service.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records do not show any diagnosis or complaints of arthritis. The Veteran's current arthritis was first reported more than 16 years after separation from active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of multiple joints, Back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 26, 2015
- Citation
- 1503498
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 1503498.
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-connected disabilities result in him needing regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance rate.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for urinary incontinence, back pain, and bilateral foot pain due to potential service connection issues. The AOJ is required to provide a VA examination and obtain an opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective December 30, 1995. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is also granted as of that date.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran is not in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to her ability to perform ADLs independently and does not require supervision or protection based on symptoms or injuries. Therefore, eligibility to enroll in the PCAFC program is denied.
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