The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection related to psoriatic arthritis and associated conditions have been denied. The RO awarded separate evaluations for limitation of motion of the right hand, left hand, and left wrist as secondary to service-connected psoriasis with various disability ratings starting from March 6, 2013. The Veteran's claims were subsequently adjusted to reflect unfavorable ankylosis of digits in his hands and favorable ankylosis of his left wrist effective October 24, 2012.
The deciding factor: The RO denied earlier effective dates as the medical evidence did not show treatment for ankylosis prior to October 24, 2012, and there was no showing of clear and unmistakable error in previous denials.
- Claimed conditions
- Favorable Ankylosis of Left Wrist, Limitation of Extension of Left Hip (psoriatic arthritis), Limitation of Extension of Right Hip (psoriatic arthritis), Psoriatic Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis of Left Knee, Psoriatic Arthritis of Left Shoulder, Psoriatic Arthritis of Right Hip with Impairment of Thigh (psoriatic arthritis), Psoriatic Arthritis of Right Shoulder, Unfavorable Ankylosis of Four Digits of Right Hand (previously limitation of motion of thumb, index finger and long finger), Unfavorable Ankylosis of Three Digits of Left Hand (previously limitation of motion of thumb, index finger and long finger)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2019
- Citation
- 19165645
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,480 · Granted: 26% (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 19165645.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits is remanded due to insufficient notice and an inadequate medical opinion. The AOJ must provide complete notice of the decision as required by law, including identification of whether or not the claim meets the criteria under 38 U.S.C. § 1720G and 38 C.F.R. § 71.15-71.25. Additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran qualifies for personal care services.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).
- Granted
The Veteran's functional limitations from hepatitis C and psoriatic arthritis caused unemployability prior to June 8, 2016.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral upper extremities pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and squamous cell carcinoma of the anus as secondary to service-connected hepatitis C. However, psoriatic arthritis was denied.
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