The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his left wrist disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left wrist disability manifested as degenerative changes and instability but did not demonstrate unfavorable ankylosis or involvement of two or more joints. The highest evaluation available was 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5214, which is the only code that could allow for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left wrist lunate degenerative changes, left wrist instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 11, 2016
- Citation
- 1605444
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 1605444.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was granted, while the claims for left ear hearing loss, left wrist instability, and right wrist instability were denied or remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's left wrist, left and right heels disabilities are rated at 10 percent each. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions as the evidence did not show functional impairment comparable to ankylosis of the wrists or marked limitation of motion of the ankles.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's current left wrist disability is not related to his in-service surgery and denied service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left wrist lunate degenerative changes is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and consideration of his request for a postponement of the hearing.
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