The Board denied increased ratings for residuals of gunshot wounds to the veteran's hands, finding that the current evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical records showed post-traumatic arthritic changes, weakness, deformity, and pain in both hands, but no new or significant findings warranting an increased rating were identified.
- Claimed conditions
- gunshot wound of the right hand, gunshot wound of the left wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 16, 2003
- Citation
- 0312928
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0312928.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further explanation of the attorney fee award, as the AOJ failed to provide a detailed basis for the $2,590.60 in attorney fees awarded.
- Denied
The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service. The August 2002 rating decision denying the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gunshot wound of the left wrist is final. No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a gunshot wound of the left wrist.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Denied
The Veteran's right hand disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5308. The Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for more severe muscle disabilities.
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