The Board denied service connection for left hand disorder and a right knee disability, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to current conditions. The Veteran's arthritis was not shown within one year of separation from service, and the boutonniere deformity was not shown until after separation.
The deciding factor: The Board found no medical evidence linking the current left hand disorders (arthritis and boutonniere deformity) or right knee disability to service. The Veteran's arthritis was not shown within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence of in-service injury that led to these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- left index finger arthritis, left middle finger boutonniere deformity, right knee traumatic arthritis with a torn ligament
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18102723
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 18102723.
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 granted service connection for left arm bicep tendonitis, left foot pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, left shoulder arthritis, and left index finger arthritis based on the evidence showing that these conditions resulted from injuries suffered during service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed because the veteran passed away before a decision could be made.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination, and a new medical examination is required.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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