The Veteran's left thumb arthritis is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, and his laceration scars are not service-connected. The decision grants the increased rating for left thumb arthritis.
The deciding factor: The VA examination confirmed the presence of degenerative joint disease in the left thumb, which resulted in painful motion and limited range of motion. This meets the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5224 (thumb limitation of motion).
- Claimed conditions
- left thumb arthritis, laceration scars, dorsum index and middle finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 15, 2014
- Citation
- 1440931
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 1440931.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left thumb arthritis and right thumb arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for several left-sided joint conditions and a right shoulder disability, while denying service connection for a skeletal system disorder other than degenerative arthritis and a right knee disability.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and various other conditions as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the case for further development, including an adequate VA examination and a determination of whether separate ratings or service connection are warranted for paresthesias and/or muscle atrophy as distinct disabilities of the Veteran's service-connected left wrist or left-hand disabilities.
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