The Veteran's right hand disability, manifested by arthritis and painful motion, is rated at 10 percent since April 24, 2012. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show the required gap between thumb and fingers for a 20% rating under DC 5228 or unfavorable ankylosis as required for a higher rating under DC 5224, nor involvement of two or more major joints with occasional incapacitating exacerbations.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hand Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18123672
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 18123672.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied an increased rating for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and has found the Veteran's right hand arthritis claim to be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The decision on the right hand arthritis claim will need to be reconsidered after obtaining necessary medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The appeal was dismissed for the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, and service connection for migraine headaches was restored. Several claims for service connection were denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right hand arthritis, and left hand arthritis are all granted as service-connected.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, and left wrist rheumatoid arthritis are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.
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