The Veteran's service-connected right hand disability, including traumatic osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the right ring finger (fourth metacarpal), is rated at 0% since June 5, 2009. The appeal is denied as there are no additional compensable evaluations available under applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected right hand disability has been evaluated based on limitation of motion and arthritis, with a noncompensable evaluation assigned since June 5, 2009. No other diagnostic codes apply in this case as the maximum evaluation for any limitation of motion is 0%.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- October 27, 2020
- Citation
- A20016091
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability was denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent, restored to 20 percent from October 1, 2016, and granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful and limited extension beginning July 14, 2016. The original 20 percent rating remains in effect.
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