The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right hand injury are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms of pain and loss of flexion in the long and index fingers. The Board also noted that any numbness and muscle weakness were attributed to nonservice-connected nerve entrapment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right hand injury are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5229 for limitation of motion of the index or long finger. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant an increase in this rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hand Injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2018
- Citation
- 1811174
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 1811174.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is seeking SMC at the rate payable under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) due to multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and various orthopedic conditions. The Board has remanded for further action as additional medical evidence is needed to determine if regular aid and attendance or higher-level care is required.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's application for Legacy S-DVI was denied because it was not filed within the two-year period after he received a compensable disability rating, and there is no evidence of mental incompetence. The Veteran had hypertension rated as at least 10 percent disabling since August 2022.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right hand injury is denied, and his claim for TDIU prior to December 13, 2017, is also denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, even one that involves sedentary type work.
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