The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his status post fracture, right thumb and middle finger as there is no evidence that these conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA Rating Schedule.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not show any amputation, loss of use, or ankylosis related to the Veteran's right hand. The July 2018 VA examination found no gap between the thumb pad and fingers with the thumb attempting to oppose them, and no gap between the fingertip and proximal transverse crease of the palm for the middle finger.
- Claimed conditions
- status post fracture, right thumb, status post fracture, middle finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 7, 2023
- Citation
- A23035034
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 A23035034.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right thumb fracture is being remanded due to the failure of the veteran to report for a scheduled hearing and examination. The case will be returned to the RO via the VA Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.