The veteran's appeal was denied for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals, left wrist fracture. Service connection for PTSD and a gunshot wound to the chest were also denied. The claim to reopen service connection for head injury, right ankle disorder, and back disorder was not granted due to lack of new and material evidence.
The deciding factor: The veteran's current disability rating for his left wrist fracture is at its maximum allowable level under Diagnostic Code 5215 (limitation of dorsiflexion or palmar flexion), and thus cannot be increased. Service connection was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- left wrist fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2003
- Citation
- 0300211
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,643 · Granted: 15% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0300211.
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 claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was denied, and the Board found that no effective date prior to May 30, 2019 is warranted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left wrist disability, finding that it was presumed aggravated by service and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of its increase in severity due to natural progression.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's initial disability rating for his left wrist fracture is granted at a 10 percent level, effective from the date of claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ's decision denying service connection for a left wrist disability was based on an inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's current left wrist condition is related to his documented in-service injury, and a remand is required to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.