The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right hand disability and right ulnar nerve dysesthesia, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 70 percent for loss of use of the right hand. The separate rating for right ulnar nerve dysesthesia was combined with the rating for loss of use of the right hand. For the period prior to January 25, 2017, the Veteran's degenerative changes of the right wrist were rated as 10 percent disabling.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran had ankylosis of his right wrist joint or more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve prior to January 25, 2017. The combined rating for disabilities of the right hand was at its maximum under Diagnostic Code 5125.
- Claimed conditions
- loss of use of right hand, right ulnar nerve dysesthesia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20026014
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 20026014.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) for the Veteran, as he was not scheduled for a VA examination and opinion on whether he needs a higher level of care.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for the loss of use of his right hand as secondary to service-connected disabilities has been granted. The evidence shows that this condition is due to his service-connected injuries.
- Partly granted
The veteran's service connection for a low back condition and foot drop was granted, but denied for erectile dysfunction and loss of use of the right hand.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals of entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of right hand and service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy as the Veteran, through his representative, withdrew these claims.
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