Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis with painful motion of thumb and 5th metacarpal, right hand is denied.,Service connection for sinusitis has been granted based on presumed exposure to burn pits during service in Southwest Asia.,Claims for service connection for a right leg disability and left leg disability are dismissed as they have been rendered moot by the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to lack of current diagnosis and need for further examination.,Service connection for dermatitis and rosacea is remanded due to need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service, including exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative arthritis with painful motion of thumb and 5th metacarpal, right hand does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent under applicable VA regulations.,Service connection for sinusitis is granted based on presumed exposure to burn pits during service in Southwest Asia.,Claims for service connection for a right leg disability and left leg disability are dismissed as they have been rendered moot by the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD requires further examination due to lack of current diagnosis and need for additional information regarding his reported exposure to burn pits in Iraq.,Service connection for dermatitis and rosacea is remanded due to need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service, including exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

Claimed conditions
Degenerative arthritis with painful motion of thumb and 5th metacarpal, right hand, Sinusitis, Major depressive disorder, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Dermatitis, Rosacea
How they argued it
Presumptive (no nexus needed)
Exposure basis
Burn pits / airborne hazards
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
March 29, 2022
Citation
22018613

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 22018613.

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

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.