The Board has granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's right fifth finger ankylosis, osteoarthritis, and osteopenia. Additionally, a separate 10 percent rating was granted for symptoms analogous to amputation of the right fifth finger disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had limitation of motion in his proximal interphalangeal joint, resulting in difficulty with daily activities such as writing and daily tasks. The Board found this impairment best evaluated by analogy to an amputation at the proximal interphalangeal joint under Diagnostic Code 5156.
- Claimed conditions
- Right fifth finger ankylosis, Osteoarthritis, Osteopenia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19148394
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,104 · Granted: 28% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19148394.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's right knee strain with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for PTSD, infertility, osteopenia, and breast cancer are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is denied. The effective date of SMC and DEA benefits based on permanent and total disability status is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which was granted for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.