The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left thumb disability was denied. The current rating of 10 percent is consistent with the severity of the condition as determined by VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The gap between the thumb pad and fingers did not exceed two centimeters, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5228.
- Claimed conditions
- left thumb disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 10, 2021
- Citation
- 21013629
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 21013629.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantial gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantial gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for chronic dry eye, chronic fatigue syndrome, constipation, IBS, left little finger disability, left index finger disability, left thumb disability, left ring finger disability, left long finger disability, right ring finger disability, right index finger disability, right long finger disability, and right thumb disability due to an error in the initial decision. The Veteran was not provided with notice of her right to a hearing on these issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for his left thumb disability due to a duty-to-assist error.
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