The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation for loss of use of the right hand due to service-connected disability, as no effective function remains in the right hand other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump with a suitable prosthetic appliance.
The deciding factor: The January 2023 examiner found that the Veteran is no longer able to perform fine motor activities with his right hand and relies almost exclusively on his left hand, indicating no effective function remains in the right hand other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump with a suitable prosthetic appliance.
- Claimed conditions
- Loss of use of the right hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 17, 2023
- Citation
- 23022512
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 23022512.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for special monthly compensation due to loss of use of the hands and feet, as the AOJ failed to consider these issues in the Veteran's increased rating claims.
- Partly granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's inclusion body myositis, right and left hip limitations of motion, and loss of use of the right hand prior to certain dates, while denying an increased rating for a right hand disability since August 14, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to failure to ensure substantial compliance with a previous remand directive. The Veteran's right hand disability needs further evaluation by VA medical professionals.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 31, 2006, for the grant of service connection for residuals of a cerebral infarct with loss of use of the right hand (previously claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity) associated with Type II Diabetes Mellitus was denied. The claim is based on direct service connection and not due to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War Syndrome, or a presumption.
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