The veteran's right thumb injury is currently productive of complaints of pain upon attempted use, with objective findings revealing pain on passive motion. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent evaluation.
The deciding factor: The veteran's refusal to actively move his thumb due to pain and the presence of a callus formation suggest psychophysiological factors rather than functional loss due to service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Thumb Injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 11, 2002
- Citation
- 0207671
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 0207671.
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 denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for right thumb injury, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current numbness and an in-service injury.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right thumb injury, finding that the most probative evidence shows symptoms of limited motion with a gap between the thumb and fingers of one to two inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm).
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions require the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a right thumb injury is granted. The claims of service connection for back injuries are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for further examination.
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