The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for residuals of a right elbow dislocation is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any limitation of extension or flexion to levels warranting a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed limited range of motion, but no significant functional loss due to pain or weakness during flare-ups, which were related to his service-connected ulnar neuropathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Right elbow dislocation, Ulnar neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20004698
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 940 · Granted: 21% (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 20004698.
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: Denied
The Veteran's ulnar neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities prior to January 14, 2016 was not shown to have manifested in more than mild incomplete paralysis. Therefore, initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent are denied.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for IVDS with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right elbow dislocation, right shoulder dislocation, and bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy as untimely. The appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied due to clear and unmistakable evidence that it preexisted service and was not aggravated by service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological disability of the right upper extremity, including carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy, began during active service and is at least as likely as not related to military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 22, 2017 due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.
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