The Veteran's right thumb disability has been rated at 10 percent since June 25, 2015. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition.,For the period from June 25, 2015 to March 20, 2022, the Veteran's right foot strain was rated at 10 percent and left foot strain at 10 percent. Both were found not warranting a higher initial rating during this period.,Starting from March 21, 2022, the Veteran's right foot strain has been rated at 20 percent and his left foot strain at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran met the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors such as ankylosis. The medical records consistently showed moderate to moderately severe symptoms without any significant functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Thumb Disability, Right Foot Strain, Left Foot Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2023
- Citation
- 23011235
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 23011235.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for a compensable evaluation for a right thumb disability and TDIU prior to October 13, 2016 have been dismissed due to the finality of previous decisions by the Board and the Court.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his acquired psychiatric, cervical spine, lumbar spine, right thumb, right index finger, and right long finger disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right thumb disability, scar, and hearing loss have been granted service connection with effective dates of September 9, 2024.
- Whole decision: 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.
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