The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes a scaphoid fracture and degenerative arthritis with fusion surgery, is rated at 40 percent effective January 1, 2021. The claim for increased rating was granted but the issues of service connection for right hand and finger disabilities as secondary to his right wrist disability, and for a right knee disability, are being remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right wrist ankylosis in a neutral position (zero degrees) is considered unfavorable, warranting a 40 percent rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- Right wrist scaphoid fracture, Degenerative arthritis status-post surgery to remove unspecified bones in wrist, Wrist fusion with hardware removal and revision total arthrodesis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 3, 2024
- Citation
- A24079857
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 A24079857.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right wrist scaphoid fracture and denied service connection for a right ankle disorder. The Veteran's right wrist disability was not found to warrant an increased rating, and there was no evidence of a current right ankle disorder other than the already service-connected Achilles rupture.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right wrist scaphoid fracture and incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, as well as his TDIU claim prior to November 5, 2013. The remand requires additional development including new VA examinations.
- Denied
The Veteran's right wrist disability has been rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5215. The Board found that there was no additional functional limitation after repetitive testing and did not find ankylosis.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right wrist scaphoid fracture and 5th metacarpal fracture is denied. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.
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