The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for his left thumb disability is denied. The case is also remanded to determine if a separate rating is warranted for neurological residuals of the fractured first left metacarpal.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support assigning a higher initial rating for the Veteran's left thumb disability as it has been as severe prior to October 7, 2020, and remains so since that date. The case is remanded to determine if neurological residuals warrant a separate rating.
- Claimed conditions
- ankylosis, left thumb, degenerative arthritis, left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21006316
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 21006316.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis in both the right and left hands, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran incurred these conditions during his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various recurrent hand, hip, and foot disabilities to include degenerative arthritis, all claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's left wrist disability, prior to April 25, 2017, is rated at 40 percent. The case is REMANDED for further development and consideration of an extraschedular rating and TDIU.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but denied for degenerative arthritis of both hands and hips.
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