The veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left hand are currently rated at 30 percent, and his right hand scars are rated as noncompensably disabling. The Board has determined that an increased rating to 40 percent for the left hand disability is warranted, while a 10 percent rating is granted for the right hand scars.

The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports the findings of significant functional impairment in both hands due to retained foreign bodies and limited motion, warranting higher ratings under appropriate diagnostic codes.

Claimed conditions

{"condition_name":"Residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left hand","details":["Amputation of the index finger just distal to the distal metatarsal phalanx joint","Traumatic arthritis in the middle finger with flaccidity and no active movement possible","Medially inverted distal phalangeal joint of the middle finger","Scar of the ring finger","One inch subcutaneous scar of the little finger with medical inversion of the proximal metatarsal phalanx joint and limitation of motion to 70 degrees flexion"]}, {"condition_name":"Residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right hand","details":["Discolored scar covering the top of the hand as well as the index, middle, and ring fingers","Little finger does not bend fully due to injury"]}

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

February 2, 2006

Citation

0603019