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Denied

The Veteran's service-connected generalized arthralgias in shoulders, elbows, knees, hands, thumbs, and lumbar spine have been rated at 40 percent since July 1981. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not support a finding of more than 40 percent disability.

The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no objective findings supporting weight loss or anemia associated with the Veteran's generalized arthralgias, and there were no incapacitating exacerbations occurring four or more times per year. The Board concluded that the current rating method applied is most appropriate for the Veteran’s condition.

Claimed conditions
Generalized arthralgias in shoulders, elbows, knees, hands, thumbs, and lumbar spine
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
40%
Decision date
December 10, 2020
Citation
20078390

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 20078390.

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