The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the December 1954 rating decision that granted a disability evaluation of 10 percent for a left ring finger amputation. The Veteran's condition was evaluated based on the applicable criteria at that time.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the December 1954 rating decision did not commit clear and unmistakable error, as the evidence then of record did not undebatably show the Veteran had a metacarpal resection with more than one-half the bone lost. The evaluation was based on the applicable criteria at the time.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ring Finger Amputation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 31, 2016
- Citation
- 1634257
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 1634257.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of a right shoulder disability claim were denied. The back disability remains rated at 20 percent, the left ring finger amputation continues to be non-compensably disabling, and service connection for the right shoulder disability is granted but not reopened.
- Denied
The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's left ring finger amputation, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on metacarpal resection. The claim to reopen his right knee disability was also denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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.