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Whole decision: Granted

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a puncture wound to the left hand are currently evaluated at 20 percent, effective from August 21, 2007. The evaluation is based on current functional impairment.

The deciding factor: The VA examination in August 2007 showed that the veteran had decreased movement and strength in his left hand, with a gap of more than 2 inches between the thumb pad and the fingers, but no evidence of ankylosis. This met the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation under the current rating schedule.

Claimed conditions
Puncture wound of left hand
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
August 29, 2008
Citation
0829597

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 0829597.

What this means for you

A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.

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.

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