The Board found that the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the hands does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent due to its minimal functional impairment, which is primarily attributed to non-service-connected conditions such as residuals from a cervical spine injury.
The deciding factor: The veteran's upper extremity loss of use and other objective findings were associated with his non-service-connected spinal cord injury residuals, overshadowing the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the hands.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis of the hands
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 19, 2002
- Citation
- 0202517
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 0202517.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and degenerative arthritis of the hands as there is no active appeal before the Board.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's clothing allowance claims for further review due to inconsistencies in the reasoning and bases provided. The issues of service connection for a low back disability and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are deferred until the low back disability appeal is resolved.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, memory loss, left knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the hands, right foot gouty arthritis, arthritis of the neck, sinus disability, respiratory disability (asthma and/or shortness of breath), acid reflux, and facial scar. The Board found that none of these claims were supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.
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