The Veteran's left middle and ring finger disabilities are rated at a combined 20 percent, with the decision finding unfavorable ankylosis of both fingers throughout the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of locking and hyperextension in his left middle and ring fingers constituted unfavorable ankylosis, warranting a 20% rating under Diagnostic Code 5219.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Middle Finger, Left Ring Finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 15, 2022
- Citation
- 22046188
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 22046188.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left thumb, index finger, long finger, ring finger, and little finger disabilities have been denied as the current ratings of 20 percent for each condition are considered to be the maximum allowable under VA regulations.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's left middle finger disability is granted a 10 percent evaluation prior to August 9, 2016. An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the left middle finger disability beginning on August 9, 2016, and a compensable evaluation for the right little finger disability are denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have developed in service and is granted service connection.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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