The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the left and right big toes, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service disability or continuity of symptomatology.,The Board also denied service connection for COPD, concluding that it did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence of arthritis of the big toes being present in service and no credible continuity of symptoms post-service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's current arthritis was less likely caused by his military boots.,The Board found that COPD did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, with the opinion stating that it was more likely due to the Veteran's long history of smoking.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis of the left big toe, arthritis of the right big toe, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20065843
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.
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- Remanded (sent back)
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- Denied
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