The Board granted service connection for left hand arthritis with osteopenia, finding the evidence to be in approximate balance as to whether current left-hand arthritis with osteopenia is attributable to degenerative changes noted during service. The claim for left wrist arthritis was remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The VA opinion on the left hand condition was based on an inaccurate factual premise and its probative value was reduced, leading to a favorable decision. For the left wrist, the VA opinion was found inadequate due to an inaccurate factual premise and the need to consider whether the current diagnosis is related to military duties.
- Claimed conditions
- left hand arthritis with osteopenia, left wrist arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- June 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25052426
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations, necessitating medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including neck, low back, hand, shoulder, knee, wrist, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, hemorrhoids, psychiatric disorder, toenail fungus, hearing loss, and migraines, as there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.
- Dismissed
The appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a bladder disorder and the appeals for service connection for various conditions were dismissed due to untimely filing of the notice of disagreement (NOD) within one year from the date that the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) mailed the notice of the rating decision being appealed.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, left wrist arthritis, left foot arthritis, and heart disability, to include coronary artery disease (CAD), as the evidence was approximately evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran. The claims for diabetes mellitus and kidney disability were remanded for further development.
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