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VA rating schedule, diagnostic code 5215 (wrist limitation of motion); 5214 (wrist ankylosis); 8515 (carpal tunnel / median nerve)
"Wrist and hand" covers a group of problems with the wrist joint, the hand, and the nerves that pass through the wrist. The VA does not pay for an injury just because it happened; it pays for the lasting disability it leaves behind. To connect a wrist or hand condition to service on a direct basis, the VA generally looks for a current diagnosis, an in-service event or injury, and medical evidence linking the two. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a little different: it is caused by pressure on the median nerve at the wrist, so the VA rates it as a nerve condition rather than as a bone-and-joint condition.
For the wrist joint itself, the VA uses two main diagnostic codes in its musculoskeletal rating schedule (38 CFR 4.71a). Diagnostic Code 5215 covers limitation of motion of the wrist, and 10 percent is the highest rating it allows (for example, dorsiflexion less than 15 degrees, or palmar flexion limited in line with the forearm). If the wrist becomes stiff and "frozen" (ankylosis), Diagnostic Code 5214 applies and pays more as the position gets worse: for the dominant ("major") hand it runs 30 percent for favorable ankylosis, 40 percent for other positions, and 50 percent for unfavorable ankylosis, with slightly lower numbers for the non-dominant hand; extremely unfavorable ankylosis is instead rated as loss of use of the hand. Carpal tunnel is rated under Diagnostic Code 8515 for the median nerve, where the percentage is driven by how severe the nerve damage is and by which hand is affected — mild incomplete paralysis is 10 percent, moderate is 30 percent (major) or 20 percent (minor), severe is 50 or 40 percent, and complete paralysis is 70 or 60 percent.
Most wrist, hand, and carpal tunnel claims are decided on a direct basis, because these conditions are not on the special exposure lists (such as Agent Orange, burn pits, Camp Lejeune, or the PACT Act). There is, however, one helpful shortcut for arthritis: arthritis is one of the "chronic diseases" the VA can presume is service-connected if it shows up to at least a 10 percent degree within one year of leaving active duty, under the rules in 38 CFR 3.307 and 3.309. When a presumption applies, you do not have to prove the medical link yourself. If a claim is denied, that is a starting point, not the end — the VA has review and appeal options.
This is general educational information about how the VA's rules work, not legal advice or a VA decision about your own claim.
Grounded in federal regulations and VA guidance, independently reviewed June 2026. Educational information, not legal advice or a VA determination.
Across 23,174 real Board appeals for Wrist & hand
A denial is often not the end either — remands (shown below) are sent back for more development and can still end in a grant. These are historical outcomes, not a prediction of your case.
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Among the appeals that were granted or partly granted, the most common ways Wrist & hand was linked to service:
In appeals where Wrist & hand was the only condition decided and the Board granted it, the rating most often assigned was:
These appeals involved a recognized exposure — which can mean the link to service is presumed, with no nexus to prove:
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine strain, right wrist sprain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and right ankle strain. The disabilities are all deemed to have begun during the Veteran's active duty.
The Veteran's respiratory condition, headaches, and cardiovascular condition are granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to contaminated water and other toxins.,The Veteran's left arm, knee, hip, wrist, and low back conditions are also granted as service-connected due to an in-service RTV accident.
The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection with a 10% disability rating effective August 8, 2023. Service connection for right hand and thumb disabilities as well as right wrist sprain were also granted. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for compensation.
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that side effects from prescribed medications contributed substantially and materially to his accidental motorcycle collision resulting in fatal injuries.
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right wrist disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome) and remanded her claim for obstructive sleep apnea.
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, headache, carpal tunnel syndrome (left and right upper extremities), paresthesia, and GERD are all granted as service-connected.
Jump to the decisions from a specific year.
New decisions are added every week, and older years are actively being backfilled — a year that looks thin or missing here (especially 2011–2017) is a gap in our library, not in the Board’s decisions.
Veterans appealing Wrist & hand often look at outcomes for these too:
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