The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right wrist strain and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, with ear pain and muscle spasms, are denied. His claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected lumbar strain is also denied as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome that required bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right wrist condition does not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 10 percent, as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular evaluation based on limitation of motion. His temporomandibular joint dysfunction with ear pain and muscle spasms also do not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 10 percent due to lack of neurological impairment or disfiguring residual scar. For his lumbar strain, there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome that required bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Wrist Strain, Lumbar Strain with Compression of Right Sciatic Nerve Dermatomes L4 through S2 (Low Back Disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 1, 2009
- Citation
- 0937412
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 0937412.
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
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- Granted
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