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
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.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding VA's failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination prior to the rating decision.
- Granted
The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches based on prostrating attacks occurring more than once a month and severe economic inadaptability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his left foot, as there was no evidence showing that the service-connected conditions resulted in functional limitation equal to that of amputation of the left foot with prosthesis.
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