The veteran's claim for additional compensation based on special consideration for disability of paired extremities (loss of use of both hands) is denied as the evidence does not establish that he has loss of use of his left hand.
The deciding factor: The VA examination and medical opinion indicate that while the veteran has impairment in his left hand, it is still functional enough to allow him to perform most daily activities without significant difficulty.
- Claimed conditions
- Residual, gunshot wound, right forearm, Loss of use of left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 11, 2000
- Citation
- 0009676
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 0009676.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) was denied as the evidence did not show that he required personal health-care services provided on a daily basis in his home by a person who is licensed to provide such services or under the regular supervision of a licensed health-care professional.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation for the loss of use of his left hand due to service-connected disability, with a rating of 50%.
- Granted
The Veteran's depressive disorder and loss of use of his left hand resulted in a combined disability rating of 80 percent, qualifying for TDIU. The Veteran is granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for depressive disorder effective April 11, 2014, and TDIU effective June 25, 2009.
- Denied
The Veteran's conditions do not render him unable to adequately attend to the needs of daily living without the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus he does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.