The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right ring finger, finding that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's residual disabilities from the fractured right ring finger did not warrant a compensable rating based on the evidence showing almost full range of motion and no ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a fracture of the right ring finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 28, 2003
- Citation
- 0305904
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,175 · Granted: 22% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0305904.
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 an initial compensable disability rating for the Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right ring finger, finding that any limitation of motion did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, or recurrent pharyngitis. For his rhinitis and ring finger fracture, initial compensable evaluations were granted. However, the GERD claim was denied as there was no significant impairment.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency services at Bridgton Hospital on December 15, 2007 are granted as the treatment was necessary due to an emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims, including providing proper VCAA notice and obtaining a VA examination.
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