The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hand, chronic right ankle disorder, and chronic left ankle disorder. Service connection was also denied for a genitourinary (GU) disorder. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further examination.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support direct service connection for any of the claimed conditions due to lack of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology since service.
- Claimed conditions
- Osteoarthritis of the left hand, Chronic right ankle disorder, Chronic left ankle disorder, Genitourinary (GU) disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2026
- Citation
- 26002344
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 26002344.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a genitourinary (GU) disorder, and decreased sex drive are being remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding their etiology. The service connection is not based on a presumption of exposure or new and material evidence.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands did not have onset in service, was not related to his service-connected gout, and is not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to ensure proper evaluations and opinions for the Veteran's claimed osteoarthritis conditions, as well as his right foot bunion with spurring.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.
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