The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right hand arthritis and related injuries were denied. The Board found that the current ratings of 10 percent are appropriate, as there is no actual limitation of motion in any of the fingers.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show additional functional loss or impairment due to pain, weakness, fatigue, or lack of endurance during flare-ups, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5229 for arthritis of the index and long fingers. The Veteran's right thumb finger injury was also found to have no actual limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hand Arthritis, Right Index Finger Injury, Right Long Finger Injury, Right Ring Finger Injury, Right Little Finger Injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 3, 2023
- Citation
- 23042738
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23042738.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied an increased rating for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and has found the Veteran's right hand arthritis claim to be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The decision on the right hand arthritis claim will need to be reconsidered after obtaining necessary medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The appeal was dismissed for the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, and service connection for migraine headaches was restored. Several claims for service connection were denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right hand arthritis, and left hand arthritis are all granted as service-connected.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's right long finger injury prior to June 12, 2021 and in excess of 10 percent from that date. The maximum allowable rating under Diagnostic Code 5229 is 10 percent.
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