The petition to reopen a claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the low back is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left wrist is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for DJD of the right wrist is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for DJD of the left wrist is granted.
The deciding factor: New and material evidence has been received to warrant reopening of the claim for service connection for DDD of the low back. The additional evidence relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating such claim.,New and material evidence has been received to warrant reopening of the claim for service connection for DJD of the left wrist. The additional evidence relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating such claim.,The criteria for service connection for DJD of the right wrist have been met. Evidence shows that the Veteran’s osteoarthritis is more likely than not secondary to an old fracture sustained during military service.,The criteria for service connection for DJD of the left wrist have been met. Evidence shows that the Veteran’s osteoarthritis is more likely than not secondary to an old fracture sustained during military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease of the Low Back, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Left Wrist, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Right Wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18138282
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 18138282.
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 Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 22, 2016.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's right wrist DJD was granted a separate initial rating of 10 percent prior to November 6, 2014. The issue remains on appeal for the left knee DJD.
- Granted
The Veteran's right wrist disability, including the navicular fracture and DJD, has been rated at 30 percent effective September 26, 2014. Prior to this date, a higher rating is not warranted.
- Denied
The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic neurological disability of the right upper extremity, and thus denied service connection for this condition. Service connection was also not granted for DJD of the right wrist as it did not meet the criteria for an initial 10 percent rating.
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