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
- Left Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Right Hand Numbness, Right Knee Arthroscopic Surgery, 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
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,963 · Granted: 32% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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.
- Denied
The reduction in the disability ratings for right and left cubital tunnel syndromes from 30% to 10% was improper, and the original ratings are restored.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD, IBS, lumbosacral strain, and left cubital tunnel syndrome are denied as the earliest possible effective date allowable by law is May 15, 2018.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities remain pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a right shoulder disability prior to December 16, 2015 and from March 1, 2016, as well as entitlement to a separate compensable rating for right shoulder scars. The AOJ is instructed to secure the Veteran's complete VA treatment records, refer the claims file to an examiner for preparation of addendum opinions regarding the nature and severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability and the nature and etiology of his reported right upper extremity symptoms, and take any other necessary action.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the current evaluations were appropriate, with a separate rating granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.