The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but denied increased ratings for his right thumb and left wrist disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's right thumb or left wrist disabilities warranted higher ratings under applicable criteria, as there was no documentation of a gap greater than two inches between the thumb pad and fingers, nor ankylosis in either joint. However, his service-connected disabilities combined to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis, other than posttraumatic, residuals status/post right thumb arthroplasty (right thumb disability), Left wrist status/post excision of triquetrum (left wrist disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 22, 2025
- Citation
- A25091063
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