The Veteran's initial rating for right hand strain, status post fracture third and fourth fingers, remains at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence of a gap between the thumb pad and the fingers with the thumb attempting to oppose them.,Service connection was denied for lumbar spine disorder due to lack of in-service occurrence or chronicity since separation from service.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's right hand strain, status post fracture third and fourth fingers, has not been manifested by a gap between the thumb pad and the fingers with the thumb attempting to oppose them. The maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5228 is 20 percent.

Claimed conditions

{"condition_name":"Right hand strain, status post fracture third and fourth fingers","diagnosis_codes":["5228"]}, {"condition_name":"Lumbar spine disorder (DJD)","diagnosis_codes":null}, {"condition_name":"Left knee disorder","diagnosis_codes":null}

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 5, 2019

Citation

19191328

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 19191328.