The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the knees, hands, and elbows has been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. His back disability is presumed to be related to service due to herbicide exposure. However, the rating reduction for peripheral neuropathy was not proper as it did not follow procedural safeguards.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's arthritis claims are reopened based on new and material evidence, but a definitive opinion regarding its etiology cannot be provided without further examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the knees, Arthritis of the hands, Arthritis of the elbows
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20001401
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a foot condition due to lack of evidence supporting a link between the conditions and the Veteran's military service. The claim for arthritis of the hands was remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to determine if service connection is warranted for bladder cancer, arthritis of the back and knees, and hearing loss. The Veteran's private treatment records are requested, as well as a VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the hands and found that her service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and maintaining some type of substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for arthritis of the knees, elbows, and ankles to afford the Veteran a VA examination.
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.