The veteran's left hand disability, including a fracture of the first metacarpal with traumatic arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, has resulted in extremely limited function such that he would be equally well-served by an amputation below the elbow with use of a suitable prosthetic appliance. The RO granted a 60 percent evaluation for this condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the veteran's left hand disability was so severe that it equaled loss of use, warranting a 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5215.
- Claimed conditions
- fracture of the left first metacarpal, traumatic arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- March 20, 2003
- Citation
- 0305302
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 0305302.
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.
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The Board remands the claim for a left upper extremity condition, claimed as a left shoulder condition, to schedule a VA examination and obtain an opinion on whether the condition is related to service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a right wrist condition, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, based on the Veteran's credible reports of pain and weakness since service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including fatigue, bilateral eye disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, GERD, penile condition, left foot disability, and others. Some claims were remanded for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae and granted a 20 percent rating for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, while denying service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, neck strain, shoulder strain, and sleep apnea.
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