The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected laceration of the left ring finger was granted, but he is still denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his scar. The Board found that there were no ankylosis or doctor-prescribed bed rest issues and concluded that the preponderance of evidence supported a 10 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left ring finger disability was rated based on limitation of motion, while his scar was rated under Diagnostic Code 7804 for painful scars. The VA examiners did not find any unstable or painful scars warranting higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- laceration of the left ring finger, degenerative arthritis of the left ring finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20076476
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 20076476.
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: Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for the service-connected residuals of a laceration of the left ring finger, finding that there was no evidence of ankylosis or amputation and that the current noncompensable rating accurately reflects the severity of the condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions were denied. The initial compensable rating claim for residuals of a laceration of the left ring finger was also denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board finds that the appellant has a scar on his left ring finger as a result of an in-service laceration, and thus service connection is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and private treatment records. The appellant's claims for service connection will be readjudicated after these actions.
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