The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle, wrist, and elbow disabilities were denied as the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The current schedular ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5271, 8512, and 7804 are found to be appropriate given the Veteran's symptoms and examination findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Left Ankle, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome of the Left Wrist with Ulnar Neuropathy, Left Elbow Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 30, 2015
- Citation
- 1518612
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1518612.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left ankle DJD and instability are each rated at 20 percent, with the instability issue being granted. The rating for DJD remains denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and bilateral elbow disabilities due to new evidence presented at his hearing.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in its previous decision regarding a rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle. The Veteran's testimony during his May 2013 hearing was not adequately addressed, and the Court ordered additional development including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling an examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left ankle degenerative joint disease have been granted. The service connection is established based on direct evidence of the conditions during active duty.
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