The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a fracture of the right fourth metacarpal was denied as there is no evidence of favorable ankylosis, and his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of favorable ankylosis of the index and ring finger or thumb and ring finger which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5223. The Veteran's additional range of motion in other fingers and progression of arthritis are not attributable to his service-connected right fourth metacarpal fracture.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a fracture of the right fourth metacarpal
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20052954
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 20052954.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the initial noncompensable disability ratings for the service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right fourth metacarpal and migraines need to be remanded due to additional evidence being added to the record.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain post-service treatment records and military retiree records.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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