The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim to reopen the right hand numbness was not granted due to lack of new and material evidence. Increased ratings for the right knee, left cubital tunnel syndrome, and status post right wrist fracture were also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a current disability for right hand numbness, and no new and material evidence was received. The right knee condition met the criteria for a 10% rating under Code 5260 due to painful motion. The left cubital tunnel syndrome was rated as mild incomplete paralysis. The status post right wrist fracture did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hand Numbness, Right Knee Arthroscopic Surgery, Left Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Status Post Right Wrist Fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19164060
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 19164060.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, as it is related to the reduction in ratings for right and left cubital tunnel syndromes. The Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits are also under review.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions in a previous decision. The Veteran's disabilities are related to his military service, particularly his September 1965 motor vehicle accident.
- Denied
The Veteran's bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome was denied increased ratings since April 18, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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