The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not support an increase in disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examination conducted in October 2016 was adequate and provided an accurate picture of the Veteran's disability. The examiner noted no ankylosis of the left wrist, which is a requirement for higher ratings under DC 5214.
- Claimed conditions
- left wrist osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 22, 2021
- Citation
- 21009285
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 21009285.
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, requiring new VA examinations for the appellant's left carpal tunnel syndrome and left wrist osteoarthritis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left wrist osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome due to potential secondary service connection via aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The Veteran's service records indicate chronic pain in his left hand, including during military service.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to June 7, 2019, from the earlier effective date of June 1, 2016, and denied an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from June 6, 2014, to June 1, 2016.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion regarding the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis/neurological conditions, as well as functional impairment estimates absent medication effects.
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