The Veteran's right thumb fracture residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, effective March 17, 2011. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show more than a gap of 1 to 2 inches between the thumb and fingers with the thumb attempting to oppose the fingers.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not consistently show a gap greater than 2 inches between the Veteran's right thumb pad and fingers, which is required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5228.
- Claimed conditions
- Right thumb fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20065589
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,432 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20065589.
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 Veteran's right thumb disability is remanded due to inadequate examination regarding flare-ups and functional loss.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The maximum schedular rating has already been assigned for the left hand disability, and no other issues meet the criteria for higher initial ratings.
- Whole decision: Denied
The veteran's service-connected hypertensive cardiovascular disease was rated at 30 percent prior to January 10, 2005. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability but granted an increased evaluation of 10% for the residuals of a right thumb fracture.
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