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Denied

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left upper extremity disability did not warrant a higher rating as his symptoms, including reduced sensation and dexterity in the hand, were adequately addressed by the current 20 percent rating.

The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the veteran had residual numbness and reduced dexterity in the thumb and index finger of his left hand due to the injury to the median nerve. These symptoms were consistent with a 20 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 8515 for incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

Claimed conditions
Stab wound to the left arm with median nerve injury
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
April 24, 2003
Citation
0307880

Veterans Law Judge

Barry F. Bohan

Decisions by this judge: 1,555 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0307880.

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