The Board denied service connection for left ankle degenerative joint disease, bilateral wrist disability, and bilateral knee disability as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.,The Board also denied service connection for low back disability due to insufficient evidence showing a relationship between the current condition and service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners provided opinions indicating that there was no direct link between the Veteran's in-service injuries or exposures and his current conditions, with some suggesting age-related degeneration as the cause of the left ankle and knee issues. The wrist disability was attributed to a past injury during service but not currently related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, Bilateral wrist disability (bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome), Bilateral knee disability, Low back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 22, 2018
- Citation
- 18104417
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 18104417.
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 the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hip disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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