The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by pain and limited motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran has limitation of motion in his wrist but no ankylosis or other compensable impairment as per Diagnostic Codes 5214 and 5003. The current 10% rating is the highest available for arthritis with limited motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the right wrist, Chronic wrist sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 14, 2011
- Citation
- 1109998
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 1109998.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes numbness, swelling, locking, tremors, reduced grip strength, and stomach upset due to arthritis, has been granted an extraschedular rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the right wrist due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding functional loss during flare-ups.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right wrist and thumb disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of more than two inches gap between the thumb pad and fingers, thus denying any higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.
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