The Veteran's right little finger disability, characterized by flexion deformity at the proximal interphalangeal joint with ankylosis status post fracture, is rated as a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5230. However, given the presence of unfavorable ankylosis involving both the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints, the Veteran's disability is now rated as a compensable 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5156 for amputation at the proximal interphalangeal joint without metacarpal resection.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner diagnosed the Veteran with flexion deformity at the PIP joint, fifth finger right hand, with ankylosis status post fracture. Given the unfavorable ankylosis involving both joints and resulting in limited motion of the digit, the disability is rated as a compensable 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5156 for amputation at the proximal interphalangeal joint without metacarpal resection.
- Claimed conditions
- Right little finger disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 10, 2012
- Citation
- 1223765
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 1223765.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a right little finger disability and remanded the claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to incomplete records.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran was not unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 1, 2017 due to his service-connected right little finger disability. The evidence showed he had multiple nonservice-connected disabilities and occasional right hand impairment but could still perform employment duties.
- Partly granted
The Board granted initial ratings for the Veteran's right thumb, index finger, and long finger disabilities, as well as a separate rating for his left thumb disability. The claims for increased ratings for the right ring and little fingers, and left ring and little fingers were denied.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right little finger disability, finding that the functional impairment of the right little finger more nearly approximated amputation without metacarpal resection.
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