The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for right thumb arthritis as a residual of his service-connected right wrist fracture. However, further examination is needed to determine if he is eligible for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: Further evaluation is required to assess whether the Veteran's right thumb arthritis meets the criteria for a higher rating under DC 5228.
- Claimed conditions
- Right wrist fracture, Right thumb arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21001263
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 21001263.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right wrist fracture is manifested by painful motion but not ankylosis. The Board has granted a disability rating of 10 percent for the right wrist fracture.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right thumb disability is related to her service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Partly granted
The Board restored the 30% rating for bilateral hearing loss from January 13, 2025, and denied increased ratings for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, right thumb arthritis, right index finger arthritis, and erectile dysfunction.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands all service connection claims for further development and to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.