The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his multi-level stenosis of the lumbar spine, hypertrophic DJD (arthritis) of the thumb, index, and long fingers of the right hand, hypertrophic DJD of the ring finger of the right hand, hypertrophic DJD of the little finger of the right hand, or fracture of the carpal scaphoid of the right wrist with osteoarthritis.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less for the multi-level stenosis of the lumbar spine, nor a gap of more than two inches between the thumb and fingers for the hypertrophic DJD (arthritis) of the thumb, index, and long fingers of the right hand. The Veteran's range of motion was not reduced to less than 30 degrees due to pain.
- Claimed conditions
- Multi-level stenosis of the lumbar spine, Hypertrophic DJD (arthritis) of the thumb, index, and long fingers of the right hand, Hypertrophic DJD of the ring finger of the right hand, Hypertrophic DJD of the little finger of the right hand, Fracture of the carpal scaphoid of the right wrist with osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20065140
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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