The Veteran's residuals of a right hand fifth metacarpal fracture are manifested by pain and swelling, but no limitation of motion or ankylosis. The Board denied a compensable rating as the disability does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation based on limitation of motion.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not reveal any limitation of motion or ankylosis in the right hand, which is required for higher ratings under relevant diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Right hand fifth metacarpal fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19194775
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,990 · Granted: 35% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19194775.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right hand fifth metacarpal fracture has been granted a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC were denied. The fifth metacarpal fracture of the right hand was found to not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The fourth metacarpal strain of the right hand was also found not to meet criteria for a compensable evaluation. Additionally, entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of the right hand was denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right hand fifth metacarpal fracture disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are remanded for additional examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right hand fifth metacarpal fracture has been rated as noncompensable, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.
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