The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residual lacerations to the third digit of the right hand was denied. The Board found no evidence of limitation of motion or ankylosis, and thus, a noncompensable rating is appropriate. For service connection claims, the Veteran's depression claim was also denied as there was no current diagnosis linking his condition to active service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not demonstrate any functional impairment in the right hand that would warrant a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5229. Additionally, there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for depression secondary to left ear hearing loss.
- Claimed conditions
- Residual lacerations to the third digit of the right hand, Depression
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2016
- Citation
- 1641904
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 1641904.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient findings regarding PTSD and depression, requiring a new VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the AOJ's handling of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, and depression. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtain medical opinions regarding the diagnoses and their relation to service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's lay statements and medical records are considered in determining whether there is a nexus between current symptoms and service.
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