The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it does not represent a disability for which VA compensation benefits may be awarded. The Board finds that the evidence of record does not support a finding that his bilateral elbow, wrist, and hip disabilities are related to service or an undiagnosed illness. His right hip disability remains on appeal.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's high cholesterol is only a laboratory finding and not a chronic disability for which VA benefits may be awarded. The Board finds the evidence of record does not support a finding that his bilateral elbow, wrist, and hip disabilities are related to service or an undiagnosed illness. His right hip disability remains on appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- {"conditionName":"High Cholesterol","additionalDetails":"Not a service-connected disability as it is only a laboratory finding."}, {"conditionName":"Left Elbow Disability","additionalDetails":"Small olecranon spur noted on X-ray, no other specific diagnosis provided by VA examiner."}, {"conditionName":"Right Elbow Disability","additionalDetails":"No specific diagnosis provided by VA examiner; bilateral elbow arthritis diagnosed."}, {"conditionName":"Left Wrist Disability","additionalDetails":"Old ulnar styloid fracture with neutral alignment and no degenerative changes noted on X-ray. No other specific diagnosis provided by VA examiner."}, {"conditionName":"Right Wrist Disability","additionalDetails":"No specific diagnosis provided by VA examiner; old ulnar styloid fracture with neutral alignment and no degenerative changes noted on X-ray."}, {"conditionName":"Left Hip Disability","additionalDetails":"Bilateral mild degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the hips noted on X-ray. No other specific diagnosis provided by VA examiner."}, {"conditionName":"Right Hip Disability","additionalDetails":"No specific diagnosis provided by VA examiner; no other details provided in examination report."}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 20, 2018
- Citation
- 1810615
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 1810615.
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).
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