The Veteran's right hand arthritis, specifically the long finger, is rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Right hand arthritis, Right long finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21006785
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 21006785.
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 Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hand disorder.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD and eating disorder, but denied service connection for right hand arthritis, left hand arthritis, nerve damage in the neck, nerve damage in the right shoulder, nerve damage in the left shoulder, bronchitis, a gynecological disability, and non-compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for GERD, right hand arthritis, right wrist arthritis and CMC, and joint pain (other than right hand, right wrist, and bilateral knees), all claimed as due to the Veteran's Gulf War service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as a qualifying chronic disability and granted an initial 10% rating for right knee instability, while denying service connection for other conditions including right wrist disorder, left hip disorder, right hand arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, increased ratings for the right knee flexion, and right shoulder recurrent dislocation.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.