The veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease, residuals of a chest contusion, and post-traumatic arthritis were denied. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for left distal radius and ulna fracture was granted. The claim for a compensable evaluation for right thumb arthritis was denied. The claim for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee were both denied.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including degenerative disc disease, residuals of a chest contusion, or post-traumatic arthritis. The veteran's back condition was attributed to an injury sustained in a truck accident during service, but there was no objective evidence of such an injury on X-rays.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, post-traumatic arthritis of the left wrist, post-traumatic arthritis of the right thumb, residuals of a chest contusion, right knee instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 2, 2004
- Citation
- 0417842
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,643 · Granted: 15% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0417842.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, due to lack of current disability evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's lower back condition and surgical scars are inadequate, necessitating a remand for further evaluation.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for left foot metatarsalgia, tinnitus, left wrist disability, right foot plantar warts, and for service connection for right foot plantar warts at a September 2024 hearing. Service connection was granted for migraines.
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