The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left thumb, index finger, long finger, ring finger, and little finger disabilities have been denied as the current ratings of 20 percent for each condition are considered to be the maximum allowable under VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s disability ratings for limitation of motion of the left thumb, index finger, long finger, ring finger, and little finger are already at their highest possible levels (20 percent) as per Diagnostic Codes 5228, 5229, and 5230.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Thumb, Left Index Finger, Left Long Finger, Left Ring Finger, Left Little Finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20059761
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 20059761.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 21, 2015 for the Veteran's claims related to his right thumb, left thumb, right index finger, left index finger, right long finger, and left long finger. The Board also granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for left index finger and thumb disabilities due to insufficient discussion in the August 2022 VA examination report regarding functional amputation, and inadequate reasoning on whether the impairment is equivalent to ankylosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical inquiry into her disability of the left index finger and thumb, including whether there is functional ankylosis or amputation equivalent.
- Granted
The Veteran's left middle and ring finger disabilities are rated at a combined 20 percent, with the decision finding unfavorable ankylosis of both fingers throughout the appeal period.
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