The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative residuals of a left wrist fusion do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the veteran's wrist is fused in the neutral position, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5214.
- Claimed conditions
- left wrist fusion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 9, 2001
- Citation
- 0126194
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 0126194.
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: Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied. The left wrist, left knee, left shoulder, and right ankle disabilities have been rated as appropriate under the applicable VA regulations.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left wrist disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been added due to the impact it may have on the increased rating claim.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left wrist fusion and a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative changes of the left ilium.
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