The Veteran's residuals of a left fifth metacarpal fracture have not been manifested by symptoms approximating an amputation of the left little finger, or by involvement of other fingers or the whole hand so as to warrant a compensable rating. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the assignment of an initial compensable rating for residuals of a left fifth metacarpal fracture.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's level of disability has most nearly approximated that contemplated by his current evaluation, which is noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 5227 due to lack of usefulness of the hand affected and no ankylosis or scars found on examination.
- Claimed conditions
- left fifth metacarpal fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2018
- Citation
- 1815212
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 1815212.
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 Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and evaluations to address discrepancies in findings related to the Veteran's left fifth finger disability, including arthritis. The issues of service connection for the left hand and wrist arthritis are also being remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration of all submitted evidence, including VA treatment records. The AOJ should also consider whether the Veteran is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination by an orthopedist to address the issues of service connection for arthritis of the left hand and wrist and increased rating for residuals of a fracture to the left fifth metacarpal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left fifth finger disability is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination and consideration of updated treatment records.
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