The VA granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right ring finger injury and assigned a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating, which was later increased to 10 percent effective January 1997.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed significant impairment in the veteran's ability to grasp, turn, and lift heavy items due to ankylosis of his right ring finger joint. The VA determined that a noncompensable rating was appropriate initially but increased it to 10 percent based on the severity of his disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ring finger injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 5, 2002
- Citation
- 0209141
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 0209141.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's right ring finger injury residuals, finding that the disability is rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 5230.
- Partly granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded the issues of service connection for gout, a right ring finger injury, and a low back disorder due to insufficient medical opinions.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a compensable rating of 10 percent for his service-connected right ring finger disability, which impacts his ability to perform prolonged gripping and grasping activities due to pain. The Veteran's forehead scar is rated as noncompensable.
- Denied
The VA has determined that the veteran's right ring and little fingers do not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent, as they lack one inch of being able to touch the palm at the median crease. The evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis or amputation.
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