The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service. The claim for gout with rheumatoid arthritis was not adjudicated as it was not about service connection at all.
The deciding factor: VA examination revealed no evidence of a chronic condition in-service, and the current left ankle DJD is not linked to service.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle degenerative joint disease (DJD), gout with rheumatoid arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 13, 2016
- Citation
- 1619505
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 1619505.
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: Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for left hip arthritis with limitation of adduction/abduction/rotation, flexion, and extension prior to December 17, 2020, as well as a compensable rating for left ankle degenerative joint disease. The appeal also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spondylolisthesis and bilateral ankle dermatitis, restored the ratings for left knee limitation of extension, left ankle degenerative joint disease (DJD), and right ankle DJD, and denied service connection for sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a right 5th finger scar, increased ratings for left knee flexion and extension, and rhinitis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) because it needs more evidence to decide if OSA is related to the veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities, including a request for increased ratings and whether new evidence supports reopening a right ankle fracture claim. The VA will conduct examinations to assess current disability levels and provide an SOC on the reopened issue.
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