The Board found that the Veteran's right wrist disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The Veteran is service-connected for carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral hearing loss, but his combined rating is only 60%. His service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show any ankylosis or favorable ankylosis of the wrist. The Veteran's right wrist disability does not result in motion lost beyond the middle of the arc, nor does it cause loss of supination or pronation (bone fusion) and fixed near the middle of the arc.
- Claimed conditions
- Right wrist fracture, Traumatic arthritis, Carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 25, 2017
- Citation
- 1729254
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1729254.
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 right wrist fracture is manifested by painful motion but not ankylosis. The Board has granted a disability rating of 10 percent for the right wrist fracture.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly her PTSD and wrist conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted service connection under the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022. The initial increased ratings for right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are also granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and carpal tunnel syndrome based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.
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