The Veteran's right hand index finger disability is granted a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating from December 1, 2015 to April 25, 2017 and denied any higher rating thereafter. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted the highest available schedular rating of 30 percent. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is denied any higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected digestive conditions are denied any higher rating. The Veteran's left ankle disability is denied any higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right hand index finger disability meets the criteria for a minimum compensable evaluation due to painful motion, which is the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5229-5003.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hand Index Finger Disability, Thoracolumbar Spine Degenerative Arthritis and Scoliosis, Tension Headaches, Cervical Spine (Neck) Disability, Service-Connected Digestive Conditions, Left Ankle Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 3, 2023
- Citation
- 23020409
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 23020409.
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
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