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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0209141.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's right ring finger injury residuals, finding that the disability is rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 5230.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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