The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a laceration of the left hand with residual neurological damage and loss of muscular substance of the thenar eminence, do not warrant higher ratings or a TDIU based on these conditions.
The deciding factor: The veteran's disability evaluations are already at their maximum levels for his service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Laceration of the left hand with residual neurological damage, Loss of muscular substance of the thenar eminence with residual limitation of motion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 16, 2002
- Citation
- 0207925
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 0207925.
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
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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