The Veteran's right thumb disability has been rated at 10 percent since the appeal period began, based on complaints of pain and limited motion. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted due to lack of evidence of more than two inches gap between the thumb pad and fingers.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was no evidence of more than two inches gap between the thumb pad and fingers, which is required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5228.
- Claimed conditions
- Right thumb disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18104241
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 18104241.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability in accordance with VA standards.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for acute right-side maxillary sinusitis and remanded the claims for headaches, a right thumb disability, and a left thumb disability.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted initial ratings for the Veteran's right thumb, index finger, and long finger disabilities, as well as a separate rating for his left thumb disability. The claims for increased ratings for the right ring and little fingers, and left ring and little fingers were denied.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, but denied higher ratings and separate ratings for other knee and thumb disabilities.
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