The Veteran's bilateral hand disability was granted service connection based on direct evidence. His right shoulder DJD is rated at 40 percent, and his left shoulder DJD is rated at 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The April 2013 VA examination established a current diagnosis of DJD in both hands, which is considered a direct service connection as it was not shown to be related to service or any other presumptive basis.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hand Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2015
- Citation
- 1547956
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1547956.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 service connection for a back disability, bilateral hand disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral foot disability.,Service connection is denied for chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both hands, effective June 19, 2010. The underlying service-connected bilateral hand disability resulted in a significant impairment after this date.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for OSA and a bilateral hand disability due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's sleep disorder may be related to her active service, but more evidence is needed regarding her hand disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed disabilities. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.
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