The Veteran's claim for an initial rating more than 10 percent for residuals of a left index finger injury was denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or functional impairment such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation or prosthesis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim was denied because the residuals of his left index finger injury do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion, as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating (10%) under Diagnostic Code 5229.
- Claimed conditions
- Left index finger injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18102380
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 18102380.
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 Veteran's medical expenses for emergency surgery on April 24, 2012, and follow-up treatment on April 30, 2012, at Memorial Health System were granted by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The surgery was deemed necessary to prevent permanent damage or loss of the left index finger due to an accidental gunshot injury.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for residuals of a left index finger injury.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, reopened and service connection claims were addressed. The rating reduction of the left index finger was upheld, but a new effective date was granted for some of his service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: 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.
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