The Veteran's service-connected loss of function of the left ring and little fingers is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has remanded for further development to determine if actual amputation or resection of the metacarpal bones in either finger occurred.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not reflect an actual amputation or resection of the metacarpal bones resulting in more than one half of the bone lost, which would allow for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5151.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Loss of function of left ring and little fingers"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19188417
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 19188417.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
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