The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The maximum schedular rating of 20 percent is assigned for amputation of the left index finger, and a 10 percent rating is currently in effect for scarring of the left hand. No other compensable ratings are available.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of supporting evidence or medical findings that warrant such increases.
- Claimed conditions
- amputation of the left index finger, scarring of the left hand, numbness and weakness of the left third and fourth fingers, degenerative joint disease of the left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2017
- Citation
- 1738241
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1738241.
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: Granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's amputation of the left index finger, as the evidence supports that the amputation is without metacarpal resection at the proximal interphalangeal joint or proximal thereto.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including amputation of the left index finger, deviated septum, and other disabilities. The decision also noted that some issues were remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,Service connection is denied for status post sternum fracture, bilateral hearing loss, supraventricular arrhythmia, hypertension, eye condition, varicose veins, tinnitus, fibroids of the breast, bilateral pes planus, degenerative joint disease of the right hand, and degenerative joint disease of the left hand.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensatory disability ratings for various foot and hand conditions due to outstanding treatment records that need to be obtained.
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