The Veteran's right hand disability is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 5215. The Board finds that a higher or separate rating for ankylosis of any involved joint is not warranted as there is no evidence of such.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support the assignment of a higher rating based on ankylosis of any involved joint, and the Veteran's grip strength and pinch strength are within normal limits. The right hand disability is rated under DC 5215 for limitation of motion of the wrist, which already represents the maximum available rating.
- Claimed conditions
- asthma, left knee arthritis, left knee instability, status post arthroscopic medial meniscectomy, right knee, with degenerative joint disease, right knee instability, residuals of right total knee arthroplasty, right hand strain and weakness with beginning osteoarthritis, atopic dermatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 31, 2017
- Citation
- 1736345
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 1736345.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
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