The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left and right medial epicondylitis prior to September 6, 2016 are denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of ankylosis, painful motion, limited motion, joint fracture, flail joint, nonunion, malunion, or functional equivalent thereof in either elbow prior to September 6, 2016.
The deciding factor: The April 2010 VA examination report reflects the Veteran's subjective complaints of dull, mild, intermittent pain without objective findings. The evidence is not consistent with his current symptomatology as indicated by the September 6, 2016 VA examination report which shows full ranges of motion and no objective symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Medial Epicondylitis, Right Medial Epicondylitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19103878
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,035 · Granted: 30% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19103878.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeal for earlier effective dates and higher initial ratings, leaving only the issues of service connection unresolved.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right medial epicondylitis and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the rating for right medial epicondylitis and the rating for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the cervical spine. As a result, these issues are being returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left medial epicondylitis due to inadequate examination reports.
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