The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased initial rating of his service-connected right fifth metacarpal fracture, finding that there were no current residuals and thus no basis for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no current significant residuals from the 1980 fracture, and the veteran did not exhibit any symptoms or functional loss due to pain, weakness, etc. The Board determined this was inconsistent with the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 5227.
- Claimed conditions
- Right fifth metacarpal fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- August 21, 2003
- Citation
- 0321069
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 0321069.
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
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as there was no evidence supporting a compensable rating or service connection for any of the claimed conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right fifth metacarpal fracture is rated as 30 percent under separate ratings for thumb, index finger, and long finger limitations of motion.
- Granted
The Veteran's right fifth finger disability has been rated as noncompensable since March 2015. The Board granted a compensable evaluation of 10 percent for the right fifth metacarpal fracture, effective from the date of the decision.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's right fifth metacarpal fracture, finding that there is no basis to grant a higher rating based on the current symptoms and existing diagnostic codes.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.