The Board denied an increase in a 20 percent rating for the veteran's left wrist disability and left elbow lateral epicondylitis, finding that the current ratings were appropriate based on the evidence of record.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's condition did not warrant a higher rating as there was no showing of ankylosis or significant limitation of motion in either the wrist or elbow. The examiner noted mild limitation of motion and pain, but found no compensable degree of limitation based on the diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- left wrist disability (residuals of fracture of the left styloid process and navicular bone), left elbow lateral epicondylitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2002
- Citation
- 0218581
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 0218581.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left elbow condition and the severity of his right knee condition, taking into account the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the issues of higher initial ratings for service-connected bilateral knee disability, migraine variants, and bilateral hearing loss as well as service connection for generalized anxiety disorder. The issues of service connection for right elbow lateral epicondylitis and left elbow lateral epicondylitis are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Service connection for depression is also remanded due to conflicting diagnoses.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left elbow lateral epicondylitis and osteoarthritis, but denied service connection for degenerative arthritis and DDD other than IVDS of the neck and low back condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
Service connection is granted for tinnitus, as it was incurred during service due to exposure to loud noise.,Service connection is denied for left knee patella tendon tear (status post repair), as the current condition did not have its onset during a period of honorable service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service.
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