The Board found that the Veteran's right little finger disability, including her surgical scar, did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent due to limited functional impairment and lack of ankylosis or other compensatory factors.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed limitation of motion but no ankylosis or other compensatory factors that would justify a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Right fifth finger injury, Volar plate procedure
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 10, 2017
- Citation
- 1715736
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 1715736.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability, right fifth finger injury, and sleep apnea has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 3, 2021. The evidence did not show that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing opinions regarding the nature of her GERD, hypertension, and right fifth finger injury.
- 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.
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.