The Board denied service connection for neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hammer toe of the left fifth digit, right knee disability, and left knee disability as secondary to a service-connected left ankle disability.,Service connection was granted for a left great toe disability with arthritis.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show any neurological disabilities in service or within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's STRs are silent for reports of or treatment for these conditions, and the earliest post-service medical evidence is dated no earlier than 2000.,There is no competent opinion linking the bilateral knee conditions to military service or a service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- neurological disability of the right upper extremity, neurological disability of the left upper extremity, neurological disability of the right lower extremity, neurological disability of the left lower extremity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hammer toe of the left fifth digit, right knee disability, left knee disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2018
- Citation
- 18156593
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 18156593.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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