The Board denied service connection for right arm, lumbar spine, cervical spine, feet, and ankle disabilities as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be more likely related to his 1984 separation from service or an underlying condition (gout) that began after service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners determined there was no direct link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service, including ejection from a plane in 1981. The evidence showed no chronicity of symptoms since service and the diagnoses were not related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Arm, Lumbar Spine, Cervical Spine, Feet, Ankles
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 10, 2023
- Citation
- 23021700
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 23021700.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right shoulder disability. Service connection is granted for OSA, left ankle, lumbar spine, and right hip disabilities. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and coronary artery disease are remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran is not in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his conditions, and thus denied eligibility for PCAFC enrollment.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is not warranted for any period on appeal.
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