The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left wrist and a back disability (lumbar spine and thoracic spondylosis) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinions found no link between the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left wrist and any in-service injury, and there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that exposure to herbicide agents caused his condition. The Board also noted that the Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy (related to service-connected neck disability) did not affect his left wrist.
- Claimed conditions
- osteoarthritis of the left wrist, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and thoracic spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 18, 2023
- Citation
- 23003006
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 23003006.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis of the left wrist and a back disability, to include degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and thoracic spondylosis, as secondary to service-connected lower extremity disabilities. The remand requires additional development including obtaining updated medical opinions that address all relevant evidence.
- Granted
The Veteran's ganglion cyst of the left hand is found to be related to service. The VA examiner could not provide a nexus opinion regarding his osteoarthritis of the left wrist, but the Board finds that the requirement for current disability has been met and service connection is granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no ankylosis or comparable impairment. The current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and functional limitations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the left wrist. The case has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.
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