The Board denied service connection for various joint disorders, including arthritis of the shoulders, hands, elbows, and knee, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service treatment.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no medical evidence connecting the current diagnoses to service, with the exception of a possible diagnosis of degenerative changes in the right first metacarpal phalangeal joint. The Veteran's service records did not show complaints or treatment for these conditions during service or within one year after separation.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis of the left shoulder, arthritis of the right shoulder, arthritis/carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, arthritis/carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, arthritis and epicondylitis of the left elbow, arthritis and epicondylitis of the right elbow, arthritis of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20040563
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 20040563.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right and left knees, finding that it is at least as likely as not that these conditions developed due to the Veteran's active military service.,No new evidence or exposure basis was provided in this decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various musculoskeletal conditions have been granted, with a specific rating of 40 percent for the right upper extremity weakness resulting from stroke.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee and right knee to ensure compliance with a Joint Motion for Partial Remand from the Court.
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