The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for degenerative changes of both hands, as the medical evidence did not show more than slight impairment of the muscles involved in the extension of the wrist, fingers, and thumb, as well as the abduction of the thumb.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not demonstrate a worsening or increase in severity of the disability that would warrant a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative changes of the left hand, degenerative changes of the right hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 25, 2009
- Citation
- 0911132
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
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