The Board has granted benefits for nonservice-connected right upper extremity impairment based on special consideration given to paired extremities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.383 (a). The claim of entitlement to a higher evaluation of SMC is denied, and the claim of entitlement to a disability rating greater than 100 percent for bilateral lower extremity loss of use is dismissed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right upper extremity impairment was found to be equivalent to 'loss of use' as defined in the regulations at 38 C.F.R. § 4.63, and he is already receiving the highest level of SMC possible under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- right upper extremity impairment, left hand disability
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20045081
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 20045081.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand disabilities due to inadequate examination and potential toxic exposure during service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for various orthopedic disabilities, including wrist, hand, finger, knee, and lumbar spine conditions, based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, tobacco use disorder, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, left hand disability, right hand disability, and bilateral hearing loss have all been denied.,Service connection cannot be established as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for any of the claimed conditions and thus, service connection is denied.
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