The veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the left wrist were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms, while painful, do not warrant an increase in disability ratings based on the current evidence of record.
- Claimed conditions
- Intervertebral disc syndrome at the L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 with history of sciatica, Degenerative joint disease of the left wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2008
- Citation
- 0841449
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 0841449.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left wrist disability, right shoulder disability, medial epicondylitis of the right elbow, and an acquired psychiatric disability as new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen these claims.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the spine and degenerative joint disease of the left wrist are granted. The Board has remanded the cases for further examinations to determine appropriate ratings for right ear hearing loss and acid reflux/gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted increased evaluations, with the highest rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left hand.
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