The Veteran's left wrist disability was rated as 100% disabling from September 10, 2021 to November 1, 2022 and reduced to 20% thereafter. The Board finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error requiring remand due to the need for a VA examination.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the AOJ should have afforded the Veteran a VA examination to determine the severity of his disability, including any complications arising from service-connected conditions before reducing his disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left wrist arthroplasty, left wrist fracture with ankylosis and degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 19, 2026
- Citation
- A26015163
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 A26015163.
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.
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- Denied
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- Denied
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- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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