The Veteran's left thumb degenerative joint disease is currently evaluated as noncompensable under the rating criteria, but he is entitled to a minimum compensable evaluation due to painful motion. The issues of entitlement to higher initial evaluations for lumbar degenerative disc disease with sacralgia and coccyalgia and left thumb degenerative joint disease are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left thumb degenerative joint disease manifests as painful motion, warranting a minimum compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5228.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease with sacralgia and coccyalgia, left thumb degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 6, 2016
- Citation
- 1634779
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 1634779.
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.
- Dismissed
The claim for service connection for left thumb degenerative joint disease was dismissed due to an erroneous docketing of the appeal and no final rating decision having been issued.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right foot strain with degenerative arthritis, and left thumb degenerative joint disease. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service complaints and subsequent diagnoses.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of left thumb degenerative joint disease remains pending. The Board has found substantial compliance with the remand directives regarding the left thumb appeal, but TDIU is still being addressed due to the need for additional VA examinations.
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