The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his postoperative residuals of a left wrist fracture, maintaining the current 20 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show ankylosis of the left wrist, which would have warranted a higher rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5214. The Veteran's range of motion was within normal limits and he could move his wrist in all directions.
- Claimed conditions
- postoperative residuals of a left wrist fracture, left median neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 19, 2009
- Citation
- 0931144
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 0931144.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 development, including obtaining a new medical opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left wrist disability. The AOJ must ensure that the requested medical opinion complies with the terms of this remand.
- Granted
The Veteran's cause of death was identified as ALL, which the appellant contends is related to her Gulf War service. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for DIC benefits due to the appellant's contention regarding exposure to environmental hazards during her Gulf War service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left median neuropathy and TDIU due to lack of proper notification regarding scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is currently incarcerated, which may have affected her ability to attend these appointments.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder has prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since 2014, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.
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