The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right wrist arthritis and neuropathy is denied. The rating for right wrist arthritis remains at 10 percent, while the initial compensable rating for right wrist neuropathy prior to January 6, 2015, is denied. A higher rating for right wrist neuropathy since January 6, 2015, is also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding of ankylosis in the right wrist that would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5214-5215. The Veteran's symptoms do not more nearly approximate favorable ankylosis in 20 degrees to 30 degrees dorsiflexion.
- Claimed conditions
- Right wrist arthritis, Right ulnar/median nerve neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20081452
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands all service connection claims for further development and to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right wrist disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service or any presumptive conditions.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for a right wrist disability due to new and material evidence. The Board also granted service connection for the right wrist disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury.
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