The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for right thumb, index finger, long finger, ring finger, and little finger loss of motion due to lack of evidence showing more than a 2-inch gap between the thumb pad and fingers or ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show any gaps greater than 2 inches or ankylosis in the Veteran's right hand joints, which are required for higher disability ratings under DC 5228.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Thumb Loss of Motion, Right Index Finger Loss of Motion, Right Long Finger Loss of Motion, Right Ring Finger Loss of Motion, Right Little Finger Loss of Motion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2020
- Citation
- A20015626
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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