The Board found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a laceration of the right index finger are productive of weakness and deformity, but full range of motion. The RO had already assigned a noncompensable rating based on orthopedic manifestations. Beginning February 22, 2005, the disability is also shown to involve sensory nerve damage producing minimal deficit, warranting an additional 10 percent rating for neurological manifestations.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed weakness and deformity in the right index finger but full range of motion, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on orthopedic manifestations. However, the presence of sensory nerve damage producing minimal deficit warranted an additional 10 percent rating beginning February 22, 2005.
- Claimed conditions
- laceration of the right index finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 7, 2005
- Citation
- 0533106
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 0533106.
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 has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed laceration injury residual disability of the right index finger, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's laceration of the right index finger resulted in limitation of motion and pain, but not to a degree that warranted a compensable rating prior to May 20, 2009. Since May 20, 2009, his condition has been rated as 10 percent disabling.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation prior to May 20, 2009, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for the service-connected laceration of the right index finger is being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA will obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination as requested.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his laceration of the right index finger is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination.
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.