The Veteran's service-connected periodontal disease associated with dental trauma #7 to #11 and degenerative arthritis, right little finger are not rated higher due to the current severity of these conditions.,Entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of the right hand is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a compensable rating for either condition as there is no loss of masticatory surface or anatomical loss that cannot be restored by suitable prosthesis.,There is no functional impairment in the right hand to meet the criteria for SMC.
- Claimed conditions
- Periodontal disease associated with dental trauma #7 to #11, Degenerative arthritis, right little finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23012243
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 23012243.
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