The Veteran's appeal was denied for higher initial ratings and service connection claims. The right wrist disability is rated at the maximum available benefit, while other conditions have not been established as service-connected.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not demonstrate ankylosis or favorable impairment of the right wrist that would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5214. For neurological impairment associated with the right wrist disability, incomplete paralysis of the radial nerve was found but no separate rating is assigned as it falls under the same condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Status Post Radial Fracture of the Right Wrist, Residuals of Trauma to the Left Rib Cage, Bilateral Knee Disorders, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Sciatic Nerve Deficit of the Right Lower Extremity Associated with Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 2, 2011
- Citation
- 1116848
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 1116848.
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 service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder disorders, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, left ankle disorder, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral knee disorders, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability records and Federal prison medical records, and request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his lumbar spine disorder. The Board found the evidence in balance regarding whether these conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the Board finds that his back disability may be related to service. The case is remanded for a VA examination.
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