The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left thumb, a left shoulder condition, and ulnar neuropathy of the left elbow. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.,Service treatment records showed no complaints or abnormalities of the left hand or shoulder during military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between the current diagnoses and service, as well as no credible lay evidence showing symptoms within one year post-service.,The March 2022 VA examiner opined that the Veteran's conditions were not related to in-service activities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the left thumb, Degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, Ulnar neuropathy of the left elbow
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 15, 2022
- Citation
- 22034850
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 22034850.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, left shoulder arthritis, right ankle and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational history.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, left knee, and right knee due to inadequate VA examinations in August 2020 and January 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for left thumb degenerative arthritis prior to September 6, 2023, as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
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