The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left hand and thumb disability, as well as the initial 10 percent ratings for left long and index fingers are granted. The Veteran is currently receiving the highest available rating for his left ring finger.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran has chronic pain in his left hand and thumb, with a gap of less than one inch between the pad of the thumb and fingers, which warrants a minimum compensable rating under DC 4.71a, DC 5228.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Hand and Thumb Disability, Left Long and Index Finger Disability, Left Ring Finger Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 17, 2022
- Citation
- 22058011
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 22058011.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities and therefore, service connection for right thumb, left thumb, right index finger, left index finger, right middle finger, left middle finger, right ring finger, left ring finger, right small finger, or left small finger disabilities is denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 50 percent rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety and denied higher ratings for the left and right knee disabilities, as well as service connection for various other conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the reduction from a 20 percent rating to a noncompensable rating for limitation of motion of the left thumb was improper. The Veteran's appeal is now remanded for further evaluation and consideration.
- Granted
The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current right knee disability is found not to be related to his active military service, as there is no evidence of continuous or recurrent symptoms during service or within one year after separation from service. Service connection for secondary disabilities (back, left ring finger, and right shoulder) was also denied due to lack of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.
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