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 assigned
- 40%
- 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1547956.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.