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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0321069.
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 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole 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.
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