The Veteran's left little finger disability is characterized by numbness, stiffness, and pain. However, there is no ankylosis or equivalent to amputation, so a compensable rating cannot be granted.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of ankylosis in the left little finger which would warrant a separate rating under DC 5227.
- Claimed conditions
- left little finger disability, numbness, stiffness, pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19127360
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)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for additional development, including a new examination to address the nature and etiology of any existing foot disability and whether it is related to service or service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and disabilities affecting each finger as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, including exposure to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).
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