The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left hand condition was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or significant limitation of motion, which would warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no ankylosis and normal range of motion in all fingers and thumbs, precluding a higher rating based on muscle injury to Muscle Group VII (Diagnostic Code 5307).
- Claimed conditions
- left hand laceration of the adductor pollicis tendon, arthritis of left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- June 15, 2017
- Citation
- 1722059
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 1722059.
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 Board remands the claims for service connection of various conditions due to a pre-decisional error in not obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the left and right hands, finding no evidence that these conditions began during or were related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case to consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran and to issue a supplemental statement of the case addressing his claims for increased ratings for arthritis of the left and right hands.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between current disabilities and service. The Veteran's complaints of pain in joints are being evaluated again by VA.
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.