The Board denied increased ratings for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, right and left thumb, index, long, ring, and little finger degenerative arthritis, and right knee tendonitis. However, a separate rating of 10 percent was granted for the group of minor joints composed of the right and left ring and little fingers.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not show sufficient limitation of motion or other symptoms to warrant higher ratings under applicable criteria.

Claimed conditions

Cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, Right thumb degenerative arthritis, Right index finger degenerative arthritis, Right long finger degenerative arthritis, Right ring finger degenerative arthritis, Right little finger degenerative arthritis, Left thumb degenerative arthritis, Left index finger degenerative arthritis, Left long finger degenerative arthritis, Left ring finger degenerative arthritis, Left little finger degenerative arthritis, Right knee tendonitis

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

10%

Decision date

February 21, 2025

Citation

A25015862

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine