The Board has granted service connection for right thumb degenerative arthritis, left thumb degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder degenerative changes with instability. The decision is based on credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service in Afghanistan.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the current diagnoses are related to the Veteran's service in Afghanistan due to repetitive use of body armor during deployment.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Thumb Degenerative Arthritis, Left Thumb Degenerative Arthritis, Right Shoulder Degenerative Changes with Right Shoulder Instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20010298
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 20010298.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of his hands or feet, nor does he have a severe burn injury. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.
- Denied
The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, finding that none of the conditions met the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria. The effective dates for service connection were also not granted as requested by the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right thumb and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and in-service injuries. The left knee disability was also denied as secondary to a nonservice-connected condition.
- Granted
The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
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