The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's low back and left wrist disabilities, but granted service connection for left wrist scars secondary to the left wrist disability.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating due to the absence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes in the lumbar spine, and there was no functional equivalent of ankylosis in the left wrist. However, the Veteran's left wrist scars were found to be related to his service-connected left wrist disability.

Claimed conditions

Low back disability, Left wrist disability, Left wrist scars

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 21, 2025

Citation

25013149

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine