The veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right ring finger, with post-traumatic arthritis and limitation of motion of ring and little finger have not met the criteria for an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.
The deciding factor: The clinical findings do not support a higher evaluation as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or extremely unfavorable ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5219. The veteran's disability is rated based on limitation of motion and pain, with the current 10 percent evaluation reflecting this functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- fracture of the right ring finger, post-traumatic arthritis, limitation of motion of ring and little fingers
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 13, 2006
- Citation
- 0604131
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
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