The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand arthritis, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), cervical spine disability, low back disability, right hip disorder, and left foot drop as there is no current diagnosis related to these conditions.,There was no evidence of a current disability in any of the claimed conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis for any of the claimed disabilities. The service treatment records were silent on any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions, and there is no objective medical evidence showing a current disability.,The Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms were considered, but as lay persons, they are not competent to diagnose or attribute his symptoms to military service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hand arthritis, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), cervical spine disability, low back disability, right hip disorder, left foot drop
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18132650
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 18132650.
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 claims of service connection for cervical spine and skin rash disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and lower extremity disorders, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a failure to provide notice regarding the Veteran's right to a hearing.
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