The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not been productive of incapacitating episodes, ankylosis, or limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.,For the period prior to March 3, 2018, the Veteran’s right hand disability was not productive of limitation of motion of the thumb with a gap of one inch (2.5 cm.) or more between the thumb pad and fingers.,For the period from March 3, 2018, the Veteran is in receipt of the maximum schedular rating assignable for limitation of motion of the right index finger.,For the period from March 3, 2018, the Veteran is in receipt of the maximum schedular rating assignable for limitation of motion of the right long finger.,For the period from March 3, 2018, the Veteran is in receipt of the maximum schedular rating assignable for limitation of motion of the right ring finger.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been productive of incapacitating episodes, ankylosis, or limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.,There is no indication of limitation of motion of the thumb with a gap of one inch (2.5 cm.) or more between the thumb pad and fingers at any point during the appeal period.,The Veteran's right index finger disability has been productive of limitation of motion to the extent possible, without extension limited by more than 30 degrees.,The Veteran's right long finger disability has been productive of limitation of motion to the extent possible, without extension limited by more than 30 degrees.,The Veteran's right ring finger disability has been productive of limitation of motion to the extent possible, without extension limited by more than 30 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, diffuse degenerative joint disease of the right hand, diffuse degenerative joint disease of the right index finger, diffuse degenerative joint disease of the right long finger, diffuse degenerative joint disease of the right ring finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20064882
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis due to a clear and unmistakable error in a July 1981 rating decision.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for tinnitus, and service connection for various conditions, including knees and hips.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased rating for a lumbar disability due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease with IVDS, radiculopathy of the RUE, LUE, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, LLE, and RLE.
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