The Veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to January 21, 2020, and the appeal for a higher initial rating has been denied.,TBI was initially rated at 10 percent prior to January 21, 2020, and the appeal for a higher initial rating has been denied.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left wrist disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5214 (ankylosis) or any other applicable diagnostic codes. The symptoms were considered in line with the current ratings, which are based on limitation of motion.,PTSD prior to January 21, 2020, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9411 (General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders). The Veteran's symptoms most closely approximated those associated with a 30 percent rating.,TBI prior to January 21, 2020, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8045 (Evaluation of Cognitive Impairment and Other Residuals of TBI Not Otherwise Classified). The Veteran's symptoms most closely approximated those associated with a level 1 rating.,The evidence does not indicate that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- residual sprain, left wrist, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20081535
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 17, 2022, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
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