The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand and arm pain, as well as his low back and left leg disabilities. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran currently has any diagnosed left hand or arm disability, or functional impairment due to pain at any time during the pendency of the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- left hand pain, left arm pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19146287
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,084 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19146287.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hand pain is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board will need to provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed condition and his military service, including exposure to burn pits.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left ankle crepitus, left hand pain, right hand pain, and irritable colon syndrome (IBS).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left hand pain and right hand pain due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's VA treatment records show he has been treated for arthritis in both hands, which may be associated with his in-service use of weapons. However, a VA medical examination is needed to determine if there is a nexus between the current disability and service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand arthritis, right and left hand pain, and lumbosacral strain as there was no evidence of current disability or in-service injury, disease, or event.
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.