The Board has determined that the veteran's right thumb disability, characterized by favorable ankylosis of the metacarpophalangeal joint and a gap of less than two inches between the thumb pad and fingers with thumb attempting to oppose the fingers, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or a gap greater than two inches between the thumb pad and fingers, which are required for a higher disability rating under Diagnostic Codes 5224 and 5228.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Thumb Injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 19, 2006
- Citation
- 0614826
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,710 · Granted: 15% (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 0614826.
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 denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for right thumb injury, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current numbness and an in-service injury.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right thumb injury, finding that the most probative evidence shows symptoms of limited motion with a gap between the thumb and fingers of one to two inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm).
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions require the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a right thumb injury is granted. The claims of service connection for back injuries are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for further 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.