The Veteran's service-connected left and right index finger strains, as well as left and right long finger strains, are currently rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes (DCs).,Similarly, her service-connected left and right ring and little finger strains are also rated at their maximum allowable ratings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected fingers do not meet the criteria for higher ratings as they already receive the highest possible ratings under the relevant DCs.
- Claimed conditions
- left index finger strain, right index finger strain, left long finger strain, right long finger strain, left ring finger strain, right ring finger strain, left little finger strain, right little finger strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23001875
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,977 · Granted: 27% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 23001875.
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 remanded the claims for thoracolumbar strain, right knee strain, left knee strain, left thumb strain, left index finger strain, left middle finger strain, left ring finger strain, left little finger strain, right thumb strain, right index finger strain, right middle finger strain, and right ring finger strain as they are related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, increased ratings, and service connection due to insufficient evidence of entitlement prior to January 20, 2023.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left and right long finger strains, a right ankle strain, and GERD with hiatal hernia. The appeal seeking increased ratings for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, allergic rhinitis, and scars was dismissed due to severance of service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to various disability ratings and service connection for further development, as the current evidence is incomplete.
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