The veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for ankylosis of the DIP joint of the right hand was denied. His claim for lower lip numbness as a residual of 3rd molar extraction was granted with a 10% rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the veteran's lower lip numbness did not result in any functional impairment and thus warranted only a noncompensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 8205. The ankylosis of the DIP joint of the right hand was rated as noncompensable because it did not affect the function of his hand or other fingers.
- Claimed conditions
- Brain hemorrhage, Ankylosis of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of the 4th digit of the right hand, Lower lip numbness as a residual of 3rd molar extraction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2008
- Citation
- 0808150
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 0808150.
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 Veteran's initial claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a brain hemorrhage was denied. The reduction of the rating for service-connected lumbar spine disability from 40 percent to 20 percent effective April 8, 2015, and the reduction of the rating for service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) from 40 percent to 10 percent effective April 8, 2015, were granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right knee strain, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for brain hemorrhage are remanded due to the need for additional development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand two issues: the claim for service connection of a brain hemorrhage as secondary to PTSD, and the issue regarding an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on the need for additional medical opinions due to inadequate previous examinations.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and brain hemorrhage as secondary to ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed due to his service in Vietnam, while the brain hemorrhage is linked to a head injury sustained during active duty.
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