The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied, and his disability rating for neuropathy of the right hand was reversed but not otherwise granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating in any issue or condition appealed. The reduction from 30% to 20% for neuropathy of the right hand was upheld as appropriate given the Veteran's symptoms and examination findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Right wrist arthritis, Right long finger status post-metacarpal dorsal carpal boss excision, Derotational osteotomy right fifth finger with internal fixation, Right ring finger status post metacarpal dorsal carpal boss excision, Neuropathy of the right hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21069037
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 21069037.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to her not requiring personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on an inability to perform one or more activities of daily living, a need for supervision or protection, or a need for regular or extensive instruction without which the ability to function in daily life would be seriously impaired.
- 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 has remanded the claims for service connection for right wrist, bilateral shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to an in-service fall.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability, finding that there is insufficient evidence to support the claim and requiring an updated medical opinion.
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.