The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for DJD of all joints, finding that his current DJD is not related to his active service and is more likely due to rheumatoid arthritis.
The deciding factor: The examiner opined that the DJD was not caused by or a result of active duty service but rather developed secondary to rheumatoid arthritis which began in 1995, after separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of cervical spine, Bilateral Elbows, Bilateral Wrists, Bilateral Hips, Bilateral Knees, Bilateral Ankles, Left Thumb
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2010
- Citation
- 1024499
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1024499.
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: Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 21, 2015 for the Veteran's claims related to his right thumb, left thumb, right index finger, left index finger, right long finger, and left long finger. The Board also granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for left index finger and thumb disabilities due to insufficient discussion in the August 2022 VA examination report regarding functional amputation, and inadequate reasoning on whether the impairment is equivalent to ankylosis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records and further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including higher ratings for depression with anxiety disorder and TBI, as well as propriety of reduction in right shoulder and headache ratings. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further examination and consideration.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.