The Veteran's left wrist and lumbar spine disabilities are rated at the lowest possible levels due to their current symptoms not meeting higher rating criteria. The Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or neurological involvement.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s disability ratings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion, as his range of motion does not consistently fall within the ranges required for higher ratings under VA's General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine and Diagnostic Codes 5003-5215.
- Claimed conditions
- left wrist degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20070552
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Granted
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