The Veteran's right thumb arthritis, characterized by chronic pain and decreased strength and motion, was found to be manifested primarily by a gap of less than one inch between the thumb pad and the fingers. The disability has been rated as noncompensable prior to February 16, 2011, and at 10 percent from that date through February 9, 2012.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right thumb arthritis was found to be manifested by a gap of less than one inch between the thumb pad and the fingers, which is consistent with a noncompensable disability rating under DC 5228.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Thumb Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 12, 2014
- Citation
- 1454776
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 1454776.
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 Veteran's right thumb arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence of a gap greater than two inches between the thumb pad and fingers, with the thumb attempting to oppose the fingers. Therefore, an increased rating beyond 10 percent is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right hand thumb and finger disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TBI, headaches, GERD, and right thumb arthritis are granted. The lower extremity radiculopathy claims are remanded for further examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's right thumb and little finger disabilities are rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective March 22, 2013. The Veteran is granted a higher rating for the right thumb but denied for the right little finger.
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