The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right thumb disability was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or a gap of more than two inches between the thumb pad and fingers, with the thumb attempting to oppose the fingers.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no unfavorable ankylosis but only interphalangeal joint ankylosis which resulted in favorable ankylosis. The Veteran's symptoms were noted as pain and limited motion without adequate pathology supporting a higher rating based on functional impairment due to pain on motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Healed right first metacarpophalangeal fracture with residual thumb fibrosis, osteoarthritis, and trigger thumb
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20080688
Veterans Law Judge
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20080688.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further examination and clarification of the Veteran's right thumb ankylosis. The current rating remains at 10 percent due to functional impairment.
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- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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