The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left hand disability, which is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5309 (injury to Muscle Group IX), does not warrant a higher evaluation as there are no findings of additional impairment due to pain, weakness, excess fatigability or incoordination. The examiner opined that the veteran's complaints of left hand pain and weakness are more likely related to aging than his service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the veteran’s current symptoms were not attributable to his service-connected left hand disability but rather due to natural progression and aging, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5309.
- Claimed conditions
- Trauma to left hand, muscle group IX
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 2, 2001
- Citation
- 0100045
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 0100045.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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