The Board has determined that the Veteran's left thumb disorder warrants a separate extraschedular rating of 10 percent, and no higher.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows functional loss due to pain, limited use of tools, grip difficulty, impaired ability to perform repetitive movements, impaired fine motor control with left thumb use, and weak pinching. These symptoms are not fully contemplated by the current schedular rating of 10 percent for arthritis and limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Thumb Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 20, 2015
- Citation
- 1549233
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 1549233.
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 Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and cannabis use was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent. Other service connection claims were denied or remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that service connection for a left thumb disorder is denied, and the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded.
- Denied
The Board found no evidence of a chronic left thumb disorder in service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disorder, left thumb disorder, and skin disorder are pending.
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.