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 assigned
- 10%
- 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18102380.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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