The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck fusion with arthritis, right foot arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.
The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence showing chronicity of these conditions during service or within one year post-service, nor any indication that they are related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- neck fusion with arthritis, right foot arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21000588
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 21000588.
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 obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed all other appeals related to various joint conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's right foot disability, including arthritis, osteoporosis, foot drop, neuropathy, difficult gait, and tinea pedis, was incurred during service and continues to this day.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bilateral foot, hand, and hip conditions are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's inability to take NSAIDs due to his service-connected kidney removal.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder disorders, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.
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