The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint and disc disease, is granted service connection.,Service connection for arthritis of the elbows, wrists, hips, ankles, and feet is denied. The condition did not have its onset in service or within a year of service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has had continuity of symptoms related to his low back since active service, with no evidence of pre-service or post-service injury that would disprove the connection.,There is no evidence showing arthritis of the elbows, wrists, hips, ankles, and feet having its onset in service. The condition was not diagnosed until 2003, which is more than a year after separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability (degenerative joint and disc disease), Arthritis of the elbows, Arthritis of the wrists, Arthritis of the hips, Arthritis of the ankles, Arthritis of the feet, Spinal meningitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21014845
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 21014845.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the arms, feet, and legs; hearing loss; thoracolumbar spine disability; sleep apnea; and PTSD. However, a 10 percent rating was granted for prostatitis with BPH prior to September 19, 2020.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions in his VA examinations regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's arthritis of the hips and knees are granted service connection, but his hand disability is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his pulmonary condition and multiple musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 17, 2013.
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