The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his thumbs and fingers are being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The issues of rating for degenerative arthritis based on painful motion in both hands remain unresolved.
The deciding factor: Further clarification is needed regarding the extent of functional loss caused by pain during flare-ups and use over time, as well as the specific range of motion measurements required under VA guidelines.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19181013
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their effects on his ability to perform activities of daily living, with a 30 percent rating for post-operative residuals and a 40 percent rating for limited extension. A separate 10 percent rating has also been granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left and right feet has been granted with a rating of 20 percent each. However, his request for TDIU remains pending as it was not initially addressed by the AOJ.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is at least as likely as not related to her military service. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability prior to December 9, 2015 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent due to limited range of motion and no evidence of ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome.
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