The Veteran's service-connected left ring finger disability is rated as a 10% for painful arthritis, and diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The claim for an eye disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus was remanded.
The deciding factor: The May 2014 VA examination found the Veteran's left ring finger disability to meet criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 5003 due to painful arthritis, and diabetes mellitus type II is presumed related to herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease of the left (major) hand status-post fracture of the left ring finger with ankylosis of the left ring finger distal interphalangeal joint with residual scar
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2015
- Citation
- 1553723
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 1553723.
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 of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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