The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left wrist disability, scars of the left wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, and residuals of a fracture to the right long finger are all denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find ankylosis in any of the joints involved. The maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5215 was already assigned for limitation of motion of the left wrist, and no additional schedular discussion was necessary.,There is no competent evidence of ankylosis of the left wrist during the period on appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- Left wrist fracture with traumatic arthritis, Scars of the left wrist, Carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, Fracture to the right long finger, distal phalanx
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19181719
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,455 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19181719.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrist, as well as bilateral foot disorders, including bunions/bunionectomy, arthritis, neuritis, valgus hindfoot, and collapsed midfoot. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, neck disability, and left arm disability have been reopened due to new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claims for hypertension and HIV were not reopened as there was no new and material evidence provided.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his severe peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease affecting his lower extremities, have resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has determined that the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing due to these conditions but not for special home adaptation or adaptive equipment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his DJD of the great toes and TDIU claim.
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