The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right hand. The current noncompensable rating assigned for limitation of motion in the right fifth finger is considered appropriate. However, ankylosis of the right long finger due to a gunshot wound was granted with a separate 10 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected residuals did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on muscle injury and scarring, but his ankylosis warranted a separate rating.
- Claimed conditions
- gunshot wound of the right hand, limitation of motion, right fifth finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 12, 2007
- Citation
- 0732325
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 0732325.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Denied
The Veteran's right hand disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5308. The Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for more severe muscle disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death in May 1982, concluding that there was no evidence showing a causal relationship between his service-connected conditions and his death.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for residuals of gunshot wounds to the veteran's hands, finding that the current evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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