The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right hand, with amputations at the distal tips of two fingers (index and ring), is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The disability picture does not warrant a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability is appropriately rated as 20 percent disabling due to favorable ankylosis of the index and ring fingers, which corresponds to Diagnostic Code 5219.
- Claimed conditions
- gunshot wound, amputation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 5, 2012
- Citation
- 1208280
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 1208280.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for cause of death to ensure all available service treatment records are obtained and an additional medical opinion is provided.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for amputation, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder due to a lack of VA examinations conducted during the appeal period.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection of residuals from a gunshot wound to the left leg has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his request.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected right index finger, long finger, ring finger, and little finger disabilities were denied. A separate rating of 10 percent was granted for degenerative arthritis in the right ring and little fingers effective October 11, 2013.
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.