The Board found that the veteran's preexisting right hand burn residuals were aggravated by active military duty, and granted service connection for this condition. The initial evaluation for degenerative disc disease with disc herniation at L4-L5 level was granted at a 60 percent rating. The claim for an increased evaluation for chondromalacia of the right knee was denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's preexisting burn injury to his right hand worsened during service, resulting in more severe disability than before entry into service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hand Disorder, Degenerative Disc Disease with Disc Herniation at L4-L5 level, Chondromalacia, Right Knee
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 25, 2000
- Citation
- 0005032
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 0005032.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA) as it is at least as likely as not caused or chronically worsened by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to his shoulders, elbows, hands, ankles, and back are remanded due to confusion regarding the procedural posture of the case and clarification needed on whether any issues had previously been adjudicated. The Board also notes that updated VA treatment records should be obtained and an examination conducted.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for left hand, right hand, left hip, and right hip disorders due to lack of evidence showing they were incurred or related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various right hand, wrist, ankle, knee, and shoulder disorders due to incomplete examinations and lack of consideration of functional loss.
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