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.
The deciding factor: The VA examination showed that the veteran's right ring and little fingers have limited motion but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ring finger injury, Right little finger injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2002
- Citation
- 0209201
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 0209201.
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 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 determined that the veteran's right little finger injury does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.
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