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 assigned
- 20%
- 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1729254.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 fracture is manifested by painful motion but not ankylosis. The Board has granted a disability rating of 10 percent for the right wrist fracture.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.