The Board has determined that the Veteran's right fifth finger disability warrants a 10 percent rating, as it is characterized by ankylosis of the MCP joint with limited motion and deformity. The Board found no basis for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right small finger disability was evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5156 due to its characteristics being analogous to amputation at the level of the proximal phalange, distal to the MCP and proximal to the PIP joint. The evidence did not support a higher rating as her condition met the criteria for an evaluation based on amputation.
- Claimed conditions
- fusion of right fifth finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 17, 2012
- Citation
- 1201770
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 1201770.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is seeking an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for fusion of the right fifth finger. The case has been remanded to determine if her condition meets the criteria for amputation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded for further development and an appropriate VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's right fifth finger disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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