The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right wrist osteoarthritis is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, and the current 10% rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence of ankylosis in the right wrist, which is a requirement for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5214.
- Claimed conditions
- right wrist osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19106258
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to June 7, 2019, from the earlier effective date of June 1, 2016, and denied an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from June 6, 2014, to June 1, 2016.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion regarding the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis/neurological conditions, as well as functional impairment estimates absent medication effects.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple osteoarthritis conditions, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and gout based on the evidence showing a relationship to the Veteran's active duty service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of June 28, 2012, for the grant of service connection and ratings for multiple conditions including lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, sleep apnea with asthma, right knee osteoarthritis, and right wrist osteoarthritis.
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