The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating under Diagnostic Code 5215. The Board finds that in the absence of ankylosis, the preponderance of the evidence does not support a higher rating.,From October 24, 2017, the Veteran's disability picture is consistent with 'loss of use' of the right hand, warranting SMC(k) based on anatomical loss or 'loss of use'. The Board grants this claim.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not support a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability due to lack of ankylosis. From October 24, 2017, the Veteran's functional impairment is consistent with 'loss of use' of the hand.
- Claimed conditions
- right wrist disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 5, 2018
- Citation
- 1820780
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 1820780.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, right wrist, headaches, and sleep disturbances as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, RLE sciatica, LLE sciatica, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, hypothyroidism, alopecia, and solar urticaria. These claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the service connection of multiple conditions, including low back disability, bilateral foot disability, cervical spine disability, migraines, right hand and shoulder disabilities, right wrist disability, asthma (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome), chronic fatigue syndrome, dysmenorrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep disability. As a result, these claims are dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis, need further examination and opinion to determine if they are related to service or service-connected conditions.
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