The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of fracture of the right fifth metacarpal do not warrant a compensable rating, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion. The left ankle strain and right ankle strain have been rated appropriately based on their current severity.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran does not have any limitation of motion of the little finger, which would be required for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5230. The functional loss due to pain and reduced speed during strenuous activities is not sufficient to warrant a compensable evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Fracture of the right fifth metacarpal
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2016
- Citation
- 1635585
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 1635585.
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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's fracture of the right fifth metacarpal, finding that his disability did not more nearly approximate ankylosis or amputation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis as of February 8, 2007 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected fracture of the right fifth metacarpal has not been manifested by ankylosis and does not interfere with the overall function of the hand, thus preventing a compensable evaluation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected right hand conditions, including a fracture to the fifth metacarpal and degenerative arthritis, are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.
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