The Board denied service connection for right hand osteoarthritis, left foot osteoarthritis, and a right foot disorder to include osteoarthritis and neuropathy. The Veteran's claims were remanded multiple times but the evidence did not support his assertions of in-service onset or continuity.,There is no credible medical evidence linking any current right hand, left foot, or right foot conditions to service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no objective evidence in service treatment records supporting a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service. The Veteran's assertions of in-service onset were not supported by medical history reports from service indicating he did not have any foot or hand problems.,The Veteran's statements about in-service onset are inconsistent with past medical records, which do not mention any left foot issues during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right hand osteoarthritis, Left foot osteoarthritis, Right foot disorder (including osteoarthritis and neuropathy)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2026
- Citation
- A26023349
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 A26023349.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a bone disorder, back disability, right shoulder radiculopathy, right and left foot osteoarthritis, neck disability, and dry eye syndrome due to the lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or symptoms during service that are related to these conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine spondylosis, right hand osteoarthritis, and left hand osteoarthritis based on chronic disease presumptive service connection due to symptoms that had their onset during service and have been continuous since service separation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 17, 2010, to December 12, 2012. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined impact of multiple joint disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's anxiety disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.