Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Partly granted

The veteran's service-connected left thumb injury disability is rated at 10 percent, and he was granted an extraschedular evaluation for the residuals of that condition. The claim for an extraschedular evaluation for his postoperative right wrist fracture residuals was denied.,The veteran has a history of service-connected injuries to both thumbs and wrists, with the left thumb injury being rated at 10 percent.

The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected left thumb disability is rated based on its functional loss due to weakness and residual numbness. The right wrist fracture residuals do not warrant an extraschedular evaluation as they have not caused significant interference with employment or necessitated long periods of hospitalization.,Both disabilities are rated under the 'direct' theory, meaning that service connection was decided on the merits rather than through a presumption.

Claimed conditions
left thumb injury, postoperative residuals of a right wrist fracture
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
10%
Decision date
June 23, 2004
Citation
0416453

Veterans Law Judge

STEPHEN L. WILKINS

Decisions by this judge: 1,599 · Granted: 37% (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 0416453.

What this means for you

A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.

What you can do next

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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.