The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of right thigh muscle atrophy, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the original denial. The Veteran's claim was reopened on June 7, 2018.
The deciding factor: The AOJ reasonably applied the correct facts as they were known to the law then in existence when it denied service connection for right thigh muscle atrophy in February 2004.
- Claimed conditions
- right thigh muscle atrophy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20026822
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 20026822.
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 determined that additional development is needed for the remaining issues on appeal, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining outstanding records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation of his right thigh muscle atrophy and meralgia paresthetica.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a separate evaluation for right thigh muscle atrophy and service connection for a right knee disorder, which he claimed was secondary to his service-connected meralgia paresthetica. The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking the right knee disorder to his service-connected condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
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