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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1810615.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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- Denied
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- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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