The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of arthritis.,Service connection for a right hand condition, to include carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), is denied due to lack of evidence showing the disability began during service or was related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Service connection for a left hand condition, to include CTS, is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the Veteran's belief that she has this condition is not competent to provide a medical opinion.,The Board concludes that chronic back pain did not begin during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a low back disability.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted as the evidence shows that the pre-existing condition clearly and unmistakably worsened during service.,The Board finds no evidence showing hypertension manifested to a compensable degree in service or within the applicable presumptive period, nor does it establish continuity of symptomatology since service.

The deciding factor: There is no current diagnosis of arthritis. The Veteran's belief that she has arthritis is not competent to provide a medical opinion.,The evidence does not show that the right hand condition began during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The private examiner's opinion is based on a review of the record and consistent with the service treatment records noting apparent progression of the disability.,There is no current diagnosis of a left hand condition. The Veteran's belief that she has this condition is not competent to provide a medical opinion.,The evidence does not show that chronic back pain began during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The VA examiner rendered a negative etiological opinion and the private examiner's opinion is based on a review of the record and consistent with the service treatment records noting apparent progression of the disability.,The evidence shows that pre-existing bilateral pes planus clearly and unmistakably worsened during service. The Veteran did not have this condition at entry into service, but was diagnosed with moderately severe bilateral pes planus in service.,There is no evidence showing hypertension manifested to a compensable degree in service or within the applicable presumptive period, nor does it establish continuity of symptomatology since service.

Claimed conditions

arthritis, right hand condition (CTS), left hand condition (CTS), chronic back pain, bilateral pes planus, hypertension

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

September 14, 2018

Citation

18135327

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 18135327.