The Board has denied the claims for extraschedular ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb and thenar eminence atrophy, numbness, and diminished grip strength of the right hand as the symptomatology is specifically contemplated by the criteria codified at DCs 5224 and 8516.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the symptomatology caused by the service connected disabilities at issue are specifically contemplated by the criteria codified at DCs 5224 and 8516, and the Veteran is not entitled to an extraschedular rating for the service connected disabilities at issue.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the right thumb, Thenar eminence atrophy, numbness, and diminished grip strength of the right hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18111861
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 18111861.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right hand disorder, which was denied due to lack of evidence. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb, effective from December 16, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb, effective December 16, 2024.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right thumb disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the disability and its functional loss.
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