The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left elbow osteoarthritis was denied in January 2012. The Board granted a 20 percent rating effective December 28, 2010, in July 2020. Eligibility to direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the July 2020 Rating Decision is dismissed.
The deciding factor: The funds withheld for direct payment of fees were disbursed to the appellant in December 2020, rendering the appeal moot.
- Claimed conditions
- left elbow osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 27, 2026
- Citation
- A26007459
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 A26007459.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for presumptive service connection for left elbow osteoarthritis, finding that his symptoms manifested within a year of discharge from active duty.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance since January 22, 2018. The Board has granted an effective date of January 22, 2018 for SMC based on aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple joint conditions, including left and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, elbow osteoarthritis, ankle strain, hip strain, and wrist strain.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left elbow osteoarthritis, right elbow osteoarthritis, and right shoulder torn rotator cuff as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder tendonitis with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis. The rating was restored from 20% to 30%, and a 40% disability rating for the right shoulder condition was granted.
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