The Board found that the Veteran's claimed right ankle, left elbow, and bilateral wrist arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.
The deciding factor: VA examinations did not find any diagnosed joint disabilities related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of swollen joints (asserted as arthritis), Right ankle arthritis, Left elbow arthritis, Bilateral wrist arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2015
- Citation
- 1514540
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 1514540.
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 right ankle disability, which includes arthritis and tendonitis, is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent for the entire appeal period.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to issues with the rating assigned for right ankle instability and arthritis. The Veteran's symptoms have been found to significantly impact his ability to use his ankle, requiring a brace and cane.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied compensation benefits for prostate biopsy and colonoscopy residuals, as well as service connection for left ankle pain, right ankle pain, left elbow arthritis, right elbow arthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for single episode major depressive disorder with anxious distress, somatic symptom disorder, and alcohol use disorder; right ankle arthritis; and bilateral plantar fasciitis and a right foot heel spur. The claims for recurrent hip disabilities, a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament repair residuals, and TDIU were remanded.
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