The Veteran's left wrist disability was rated as 10 percent prior to July 6, 2011 and from November 1, 2011, to April 25, 2013. From July 1, 2013 to March 13, 2020, the Veteran was rated at 20 percent. Since March 14, 2020, he is rated at 70 percent for loss of use of the left hand.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's wrist disability did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of ankylosis or other specific findings that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Left wrist fracture, Posttraumatic arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21012421
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 21012421.
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 left wrist disability, including a fracture and nonunion of the scaphoid bone, is rated at 20 percent effective September 1, 2014. The Veteran's left wrist scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for his right ring finger disability is denied as the applicable Diagnostic Codes do not provide for a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's left upper extremity radial nerve neuralgia is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, including as secondary to service-connected left shoulder arthritis due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service injury or disease.
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