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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23021700.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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