The Board found that the veteran's right hand disability, characterized by fractures and degenerative joint disease, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under either the old or new VA criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show ankylosis or occasional incapacitating exacerbations, and the functional limitations were minimal with no additional loss of movement on repeated use or during flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- fracture of the second, third and fourth fingers, degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 14, 2004
- Citation
- 0401319
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 0401319.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for residuals of a right knee meniscal tear to include degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's in-service injury led to his current condition.
- Granted
The Board granted an increased initial rating of 20 percent disabling for the Veteran's right shoulder, effective November 22, 2011.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lumbosacral strain, based on the Veteran's consistent account of having low back problems since service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a right arm disability, diagnosed as right shoulder strain, tendinopathy, tendinosis, and degenerative joint disease, based on the evidence showing that these conditions initially manifested during service and continuously progressed and worsened after discharge.
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