The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right wrist disability, finding that a 10 percent rating was appropriate given the pain and functional loss experienced by the veteran. The claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with ankylosis, strain and myofascitis and bilateral hearing loss were remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the right wrist disability as the pain and functional loss did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with ankylosis, strain and myofascitis and bilateral hearing loss were remanded due to deficiencies in previous examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-operative tear of the right wrist with a sprain and tendonitis, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with ankylosis, strain and myofascitis, Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2023
- Citation
- 23001463
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 claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there was no evidence of a current disability in the right ear and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the left ear hearing loss and service.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service acoustic trauma and a rocket blast injury.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 17, 2019, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD but denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
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