The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability has resulted in loss of use of the right hand on and after April 22, 2014, warranting SMC benefits.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's right wrist disability causes a level of impairment such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the elbow with use of a suitable prosthetic appliance.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Wrist Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 26, 2018
- Citation
- 1805383
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 1805383.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal for several conditions, including insomnia, hypertension, and various disabilities, was dismissed due to procedural issues.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantial gainful activity.
- Denied
The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and the claims for service connection were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for asthma, hypertension, and vertigo. The claims for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were also denied as not secondary to a service-connected disability. Some claims for various musculoskeletal conditions of the cervical spine, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, feet, and fibromyalgia are remanded for further development.
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.