The veteran's right hand disability, including a shell fragment wound and fracture of the index metacarpal, does not result in functional deficits or scarring that would warrant a compensable evaluation. The combined effect of his service-connected disabilities has not been shown to interfere with normal employability.
The deciding factor: The veteran's current right hand condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of significant functional impairment and no associated scarring.
- Claimed conditions
- shell fragment wound (SFW) of the right hand, fracture of the index metacarpal
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 12, 2002
- Citation
- 0201444
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 0201444.
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).
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