The Veteran's degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were found to have their onset in service, warranting service connection. The issue regarding her bilateral wrist disability is remanded for further examination.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records show multiple in-service complaints of lower back pain and physical therapy treatment for lumbosacral strain and muscle spasms. Private treatment records indicate the Veteran has a diagnosis of degenerative joint disease, which was found to be related to her service-connected back injury.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome with bilateral hand pain secondary to the carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 1, 2014
- Citation
- 1419297
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 1419297.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective May 6, 2024.
- Denied
The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a compensable rating.,The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder did not meet the criteria for an effective period under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 prior to July 13, 2018, or subsequent to August 31, 2018.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the awards granted in May 2017, resulting in a 100 percent rating and effective dates for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, with the exception of the time period from March 26, 2012 to April 30, 2013 when he had a 100 percent disability rating.
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.