The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for arthritis of the right hand, left thumb, and left foot. The appeals are now remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The recent submitted evidence shows in-service injuries and post-service symptomology that tend to support the existence of current disabilities and a nexus between the Veteran's service and his claimed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis of the right hand, arthritis of the left thumb, arthritis of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18151834
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 18151834.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Granted
The Veteran's left foot disability, including arthritis and post-operative management for arthroplasty of the left great toe, was granted service connection as it had its onset during active service and continued to the present.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims due to a concurrent election under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). The issues were docketed in error as the AOJ was still reviewing them.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for higher initial ratings for a left middle finger disability with arthritis and arthritis of the right hand due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The veteran withdrew all pending appeals, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these issues.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.