The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his right hand disability, finding that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or thumb ankylosis. The current rating of 40% is considered appropriate given the Veteran's symptoms and examination findings.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s right hand disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis, which is required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5221.
- Claimed conditions
- Right hand disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21002224
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 21002224.
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: Dismissed
The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hand disability is dismissed.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder based on a June 2020 claim is denied.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle and foot disabilities are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The VA will obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between the claimed conditions and service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as well as a TERA examination for frequent urination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's hair loss and some other conditions are granted service connection, while the right hand disability is denied. The Veteran also has a new rating for his low back condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including heart disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, right hand and left hand disabilities, right knee and left knee disabilities, and right foot and left foot disabilities due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.
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