The Board denied the appellant's claims for effective dates prior to specific dates for various service-connected disabilities of the hands and ankles.,For conditions involving the right shoulder, left elbow, and fingers, the Board found that the initial ratings were not met before or after the specified dates.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on the severity of the service-connected disabilities as defined by VA's rating schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ankle polyarthralgia, Left ankle polyarthralgia, Right elbow polyarthralgia limitation of flexion, Left elbow polyarthralgia limitation of flexion, Right shoulder polyarthralgia, Left shoulder polyarthralgia, Right thumb degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic, Right index finger degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic, Right long finger degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic, Right little finger degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic, Right ring finger degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic, Left thumb degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic, Left index finger degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic, Left long finger degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic, Left little finger degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic, Left ring finger degenerative arthritis other than post-traumatic
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2026
- Citation
- A26009225
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 A26009225.
What this means for you
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