The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of an in-service event, disease, or injury that could be linked to the claimed conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a right knee disability, left knee disability, shin splints of either leg, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis of the wrists and hands, or sinus disability due to asbestos exposure.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish an in-service event, disease, or injury that could be linked to the Veteran's current conditions. The gaps between service and onset are too long for a finding of causation.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Disability, Left Knee Disability, Shin Splints of the Right Leg, Shin Splints of the Left Leg, Cervical Spine Disability, Thoracolumbar Spine Disability, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Arthritis of Right Wrist and Hand, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Arthritis of Left Wrist and Hand, Sinus Disability (due to asbestos exposure)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 25, 2018
- Citation
- 1804795
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 1804795.
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 Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, and the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support an etiological relationship between his current condition and his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of clear and unmistakable error in assigning an effective date of June 19, 2002.
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