{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/wrist-impairment","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:12.163Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Wrist impairment","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":7038,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":12.3,"denied_pct":36.3,"remanded_pct":51.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":25.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":469,"granted_pct":7.7,"denied_pct":40.9,"remanded_pct":49},{"year":2018,"issues":786,"granted_pct":9.3,"denied_pct":35.1,"remanded_pct":53.2},{"year":2019,"issues":906,"granted_pct":8.4,"denied_pct":34.1,"remanded_pct":55.5},{"year":2020,"issues":910,"granted_pct":8.9,"denied_pct":41.4,"remanded_pct":48.2},{"year":2021,"issues":882,"granted_pct":10.5,"denied_pct":38.9,"remanded_pct":48.9},{"year":2022,"issues":863,"granted_pct":10.4,"denied_pct":28.5,"remanded_pct":60},{"year":2023,"issues":1098,"granted_pct":12.5,"denied_pct":29,"remanded_pct":57.6},{"year":2024,"issues":1072,"granted_pct":14.4,"denied_pct":32.7,"remanded_pct":52.1},{"year":2025,"issues":1157,"granted_pct":17.1,"denied_pct":39.4,"remanded_pct":43},{"year":2026,"issues":384,"granted_pct":24.5,"denied_pct":34.6,"remanded_pct":40.1}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":73,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":739,"granted_pct_with":46.7,"granted_pct_without":21.2},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":5215,"granted_pct_with":24.4,"granted_pct_without":29.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":823,"granted_pct_with":57.9,"granted_pct_without":18.6},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":3201,"granted_pct_with":26.9,"granted_pct_without":23.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1665,"granted_pct_with":34.3,"granted_pct_without":21.8},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":248,"granted_pct_with":46,"granted_pct_without":24.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":5878,"granted_pct_with":25.9,"granted_pct_without":21.7},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":241,"granted_pct_with":41.5,"granted_pct_without":24.7},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":331,"granted_pct_with":38.7,"granted_pct_without":24.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":157},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":22},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":20},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":19},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":18},{"reason":"evidence evenly balanced","decisions":9}],"denied":[{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":353},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":256},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":253},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":182},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":175},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":153}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040785","year":2026,"judge":"S. SORATHIA","rationale":"Lay statements consistent with service; STRs show complaint of ankle pain; Benefit of the doubt applied"},{"case_id":"A26040148","year":2026,"judge":"BETHANY L. BUCK","rationale":"In-service injury alleged (assault with metal rod); Private medical records show old injury, instability, and pain; Fellow veteran corroborates in-service assault; Pain alone can constitute functional impairment/disability; VA examiner opinion found inadequate (conflated chronicity of care with cont… [truncated, 19 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26039871","year":2026,"judge":"MARJORIE A. AUER","rationale":"Resolving reasonable doubt in Veteran's favor; At least as likely as not related to RTV in-service accident"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26038803","year":2026,"judge":"C.A. SKOW","rationale":"No in-service injury, event, or disease involving the right wrist was persuasively established.; Service treatment records showed no complaints or pathology of the right wrist.; Private treatment records also showed no complaints or abnormalities of the right wrist.; Veteran's lay reports of symptom… [truncated, 76 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26038432","year":2026,"judge":"R. BISIGNANI","rationale":"Criteria for rating in excess of 10% not met.; No evidence of ankylosis or functional equivalent.; Current limitation of motion does not warrant higher rating under DC 5215."},{"case_id":"A26038289","year":2026,"judge":"A. ISHIZAWAR","rationale":"No evidence of current left wrist disability; No in-service complaints or diagnosis documented; No persuasive evidence of functional impairment"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}