The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the entire body and degenerative disc disease of the cervical and thoracic spine, finding that his conditions are less likely than not due to or aggravated by his active duty service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran’s conditions were more likely related to his career as a heavy equipment operator rather than his in-service accident.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis of the entire body, degenerative disc disease of the cervical and thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19174616
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 19174616.
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 Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, back, leg, and hip disorders due to concerns about incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, bilateral ankles, and arthritis of his entire body. The remaining issues have been remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the entire body and low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation, and that any current conditions are not related to military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for low back disability and arthritis of the entire body due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations.
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