The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for right shoulder tendonitis, left wrist tendonitis, and right 5th metacarpal fracture with tendinitis have been granted. The current evaluations of 10 percent are the highest possible under applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations confirmed the presence of service-connected conditions but did not find any additional factors that would warrant a higher rating, such as ankylosis or other specific impairments.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Tendonitis, Left Wrist Tendonitis, Right 5th Metacarpal Fracture with Tendinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 19, 2008
- Citation
- 0839751
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 0839751.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 determined that the cause of the Veteran's death was cardiopulmonary arrest due to aspiration, and they have found a duty to assist error in their initial decision. They are now requesting a medical opinion to determine if the service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis is rated at 20 percent from February 6, 2017. The rating for thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome remains at 40 percent prior to September 22, 2025 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome as secondary to an acquired psychiatric condition, but denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and left hip strain. The initial ratings for left wrist tendonitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease were also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for Meniere's Disease, a back disability, and bilateral wrist tendonitis to obtain additional VA opinions.
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