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Whole decision: Granted

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his right ring finger disability was granted, and he is now rated as noncompensably (zero percent) disabled. A separate 10 percent evaluation has been assigned for degenerative or traumatic arthritis of two or more minor joint groups of the right hand. The appeal regarding service connection for residuals of right hand and arm injury remains pending.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's initial claim was granted, but he is not entitled to a higher rating as his disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code. A separate evaluation has been assigned for arthritis, which meets the criteria for a noncompensable evaluation.

Claimed conditions
residuals of lacerating injury of tendons of right ring finger, degenerative or traumatic arthritis of two or more minor joint groups of the right ring finger
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
February 29, 2016
Citation
1607775

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 1607775.

What this means for you

A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.

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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