The Veteran's left shoulder arthritis, onychomycosis of the toes, gout, mental health disability (Major Depressive Disorder), hypertension, right thumb arthritis, left knee arthritis, and Morton's neuroma of the right foot have all been granted service connection.,Additionally, the issue of entitlement to service connection for splenomegaly, anemia, and a right foot disability other than Morton's neuroma has been remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left shoulder arthritis is presumed to be related to his second period of active duty service. The onychomycosis of the toes began during service, as evidenced by treatment records from 2009. Gout was diagnosed in service and continued after separation. The mental health disability is linked to service. Hypertension was also found during service. Right thumb arthritis, left knee arthritis, and Morton's neuroma of the right foot are all considered direct service connection cases.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Arthritis, Onychomycosis of the Toes, Gout, Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent (Mental Health Disability), Hypertension, Right Thumb Arthritis, Left Knee Arthritis, Morton's Neuroma of the Right Foot
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23064575
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 23064575.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
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