The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his gunshot wound of the left hand, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old or new VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on either favorable or unfavorable ankylosis of digits II, III, IV, and V (index, long, ring, and little fingers) as defined by Diagnostic Codes 5216-5230.
- Claimed conditions
- gunshot wound of the left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 17, 2007
- Citation
- 0721450
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0721450.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an increased rating to 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected left hand disability, which is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The new evaluation reflects severe impairment of Muscle Group VII.
- Whole decision: Denied
The VA denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the left hand, finding that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected left hand, right radius fracture, and scar of the right leg disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The VA has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left hand disability, currently rated at 10 percent.
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