The VA examiner found that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease and Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand are not related to service or any incident of service, including an accident in service. The examiner concluded that these conditions are more likely due to the aging process.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's current left hand disorders, other than foreign bodies at the base of the thumb, are consistent with the natural progression of age-related changes and not related to any specific injury or incident in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Hand, Dupuytren's Contracture of the Left Hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 26, 2013
- Citation
- 1314023
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 1314023.
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 has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities due to incomplete medical records and the need for updated VA examinations.
- Granted
The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected asthma. Other conditions are denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left hand was denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant such a rating.,The Veteran’s claim for an extraschedular evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the left hand is remanded to determine if it warrants consideration outside the regular schedular criteria.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's left hand disability, other than radiculopathy, is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability.
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.