The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for left arm injury, posttraumatic arthritis. Service connection was granted for lumbar pain and strain.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner stated that the currently diagnosed lumbar condition is at least as likely as not related to the in-service injury during ACDUTRA in May 1987.
- Claimed conditions
- left arm injury, posttraumatic arthritis, lumbar pain and strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20003612
Veterans Law Judge
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 20003612.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeal for the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected scars, s/p metacarpal fracture due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected post traumatic arthritis, s/p metacarpal fracture is remanded as there are issues with the adequacy of a previous VA examination.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a right foot condition, including hallux rigidus with degenerative arthritis, based on the Veteran's credible assertions of continuous symptoms since active duty and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 10% for his right wrist condition. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing ankylosis or its functional equivalent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's left arm disability is being remanded due to procedural issues, and the claim will be reconsidered with any new evidence submitted.
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.