The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability, to include osteoarthritis, as the condition clearly and unmistakably pre-existed the Veteran's entrance into active duty and was not aggravated by his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners concluded that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression due to in-service events or illness, and the large gap between discharge from service and diagnosis of arthritis indicated no chronicity of care during service.
- Claimed conditions
- right wrist disability, to include osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2022
- Citation
- 22001471
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for another VA examination and opinion as the previous examinations were found to be inadequate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the appeal for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions of the left and right hands, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, and foot, but granted service connection for a right knee disability and fibromyalgia. The decision was based on medical evidence that did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for hypothyroidism and migraines was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal. The appeals for right and left wrist disabilities are remanded for further development.
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