The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left middle finger disability has been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion and pain.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports show that the Veteran's symptoms have remained consistent over time, with no functional impairment such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation with prosthesis. The highest schedular evaluation available for his disability is 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5226.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Middle Finger Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2016
- Citation
- 1643336
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 1643336.
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 has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities and therefore, service connection for right thumb, left thumb, right index finger, left index finger, right middle finger, left middle finger, right ring finger, left ring finger, right small finger, or left small finger disabilities is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee strain, and left middle finger disability have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset during service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee, left middle finger, lower back, and left knee disabilities. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for TBI, left middle finger disability, and left leg muscle disability due to additional development being required.
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