The VA denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's gunshot wound residuals, including traumatic arthritis and nerve involvement. The issue of service connection for Dupuytren's contracture was not addressed.
The deciding factor: The disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a gunshot wound, traumatic arthritis of the left wrist, ulnar and median nerve involvement, status-post carpal tunnel release
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2000
- Citation
- 0013089
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0013089.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depressive disorder not otherwise specified and traumatic arthritis of the left wrist, have rendered him unemployable for periods on appeal. The Board has granted a TDIU from June 17, 2008 to December 2, 2012 and from February 1, 2014 to February 26, 2017. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC at the housebound rate for these periods.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient rationale in the VA opinions and a need for new medical assessments.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a gunshot wound, finding that there was no credible evidence to support an in-service injury and thus not meeting the criteria for direct service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of complete service records and potential herbicide exposure at the Savannah River Plant. The claims will be reconsidered after these issues are resolved.
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