The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of multiple fractures of the left thumb is denied. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5228 and 5003.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show a gap of more than 2 inches (5.1 cm) between the thumb pad and the fingers, with the thumb attempting to oppose the fingers as required for a higher initial 20 percent rating under DC 5228.
- Claimed conditions
- Multiple fractures of the left thumb, Degenerative arthritis of the left thumb
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20006913
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,162 · Granted: 21% (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 20006913.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for left thumb degenerative arthritis prior to September 6, 2023, as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis in both the left and right thumb, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active-duty military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left thumb, a left shoulder condition, and ulnar neuropathy of the left elbow. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.,Service treatment records showed no complaints or abnormalities of the left hand or shoulder during military service.
- Granted
The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating due to service-connected PTSD effective October 27, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU rating as of that date.
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