The Board has determined that the veteran's right thumb disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim. The Board also found that the veteran's service-connected right little finger disability warrants a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5003.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner stated that the veteran's right thumb disorder was not related to his military service, including the right hand injury he suffered in 1960. The Board also found that the residual manifestations associated with the veteran's right little finger disability are consistent with the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5003.
- Claimed conditions
- Right thumb disorder, Degenerative arthritis of the right thumb interphalangeal joint
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 13, 2005
- Citation
- 0500987
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 0500987.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety, but dismissed the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right thumb disorder, a compensable rating for a right thumb scar, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right thumb scar, and a left great toe disorder as moot. The claims for service connection for a left hip disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and PTSD were remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various right hand and finger disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and a lumbar spine disability, while dismissing the appeals to reopen claims for TBI residuals, right wrist disorder, and right thumb disorder. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened and granted as secondary to a service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection of right wrist and bilateral knee disorders have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her left ring finger disability has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right thumb disorder, right index finger disorder, low back disorder, and right great toe and foot disorder have been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of dermatitis has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of a headache disorder secondary to her service-connected allergic rhinitis has been remanded.
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