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.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s right hand disability has been evaluated based on its current status and does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of evidence indicating severe impairment or other signs of severe muscle disability.
- Claimed conditions
- gunshot wound of the right hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 8, 2009
- Citation
- 0933603
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 0933603.
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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
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.