The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, finding that none of the conditions met the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria. The effective dates for service connection were also not granted as requested by the Veteran.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for any higher evaluations based on limitation of motion or ankylosis, and therefore no higher ratings could be assigned.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Long Finger Degenerative Arthritis, Left Long Finger Degenerative Arthritis, Right Index Finger Degenerative Arthritis, Left Index Finger Degenerative Arthritis, Right Ring Finger Degenerative Arthritis, Left Ring Finger Degenerative Arthritis, Right Little Finger Degenerative Arthritis, Left Little Finger Degenerative Arthritis, Right Thumb Degenerative Arthritis, Left Thumb Degenerative Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 20, 2023
- Citation
- A23032832
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 A23032832.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of his hands or feet, nor does he have a severe burn injury. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right thumb degenerative arthritis, left thumb degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder degenerative changes with instability. The decision is based on credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service in Afghanistan.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right thumb and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and in-service injuries. The left knee disability was also denied as secondary to a nonservice-connected condition.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and an increased rating for chronic extensor tendon tear at distal interphalangeal joint with arthritis, right little finger. The claims for service connection of the right ankle and right knee disabilities are remanded.
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