The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ring finger disability is denied as the condition does not warrant a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations revealed that the veteran has a 15-degree flexion contracture of the distal interphalangeal joint of the right ring finger with mild swan neck deformity, but no more than mild incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve. The disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Fracture of the right ring finger, Associated ulnar nerve injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2000
- Citation
- 0021845
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0021845.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fractured right ring finger do not warrant an increased rating, and denied his claim for secondary service connection for arthritis of the right hand.
- Whole decision: Denied
The VA determined that there is no evidence of a compensable disability for the veteran's right ring finger fracture, and thus denied his claim for a higher evaluation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fracture to the right ring finger, finding that the disability did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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