The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation for the loss of use of his left hand due to service-connected disability, with a rating of 50%.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners' opinions were in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's function was equally well served by an amputation stump and prosthetic appliance, leading to a finding that he has the loss of use of his left hand due to service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Loss of use of left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 14, 2019
- Citation
- 19185972
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 claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) was denied as the evidence did not show that he required personal health-care services provided on a daily basis in his home by a person who is licensed to provide such services or under the regular supervision of a licensed health-care professional.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left hand is being remanded due to a lack of VCAA notice.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of March 8, 2001 for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The veteran's disabilities include degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, loss of use of the left hand, and generalized arthritis.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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