The Veteran's left hand osteopenia and rheumatoid arthritis, right hand osteopenia and rheumatoid arthritis with osteoarthritis of the thumb, and lumbosacral strain are all found to be at least as likely as not related to his active service.
The deciding factor: The Board finds credible the Veteran's reports of injuries sustained during service and subsequent intermittent problems since service, which support a finding that these conditions are related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Osteopenia and rheumatoid arthritis of the left hand, Osteopenia and rheumatoid arthritis of the right hand with osteoarthritis of the thumb, Lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19125738
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations to properly evaluate the current severity of her disabilities.
- Dismissed
The appeal is dismissed due to res judicata, as the issues were previously adjudicated and are now barred from further review.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) for claims related to an increased rating and service connection, as well as lack of jurisdiction over a previously granted claim for sinusitis.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted separate ratings of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, a higher rating under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o), and a higher rating under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1).
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