The Veteran's right hand disability, characterized by pain and degenerative joint disease of the right fifth digit, has been rated as 10 percent disabling. The current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and functional impairment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s right hand disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code due to lack of limitation of motion in other joints.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the right fifth digit
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 30, 2015
- Citation
- 1554241
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1554241.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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