The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for arthritis of the right index finger, right long finger, left index finger, and left long finger from June 26, 2002 were denied as there is no evidence of service connection or any other basis for granting these claims.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the Veteran's arthritis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current manifestations of his condition and the lack of service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the right index finger, Arthritis of the right long finger, Arthritis of the left index finger, Arthritis of the left long finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2011
- Citation
- 1114737
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1114737.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. As the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an award of special monthly compensation, as no disability is considered 100 percent disabling, plus an additional separate disability or disabilities combining to 60 percent disabling, his TDIU claim has been dismissed as moot.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right index finger and long fingers are rated at noncompensable levels due to normal range of motion and no gaps between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating as his condition does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or amputation.,The Veteran's right ring finger is also rated at noncompensable levels due to normal range of motion and no gaps between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating as his condition does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or amputation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings have been denied as her arthritis of the thumbs, index fingers, long fingers, ring fingers, and little fingers do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The Veteran's arthritis of the right knee and feet were also found to not warrant an increase in rating.,The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome has been remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's median nerve injury of the left wrist is not manifested by symptoms indicative of severe incomplete paralysis or complete paralysis, and his arthritis in the left index finger and thumb and middle, ring, and little fingers does not meet the criteria for a separate initial evaluation.
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