The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a right thumb injury is denied. Separate ratings are granted for limitation of motion of the right index and long fingers, as well as noncompensable ratings for painful and weakened motion of the right ring and little fingers.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher rating than 20 percent for residuals of a right thumb injury due to functional limitations that do not meet the criteria for ankylosis or other specific diagnostic codes. Separate ratings are granted based on limitation of motion of the index and long fingers, as well as noncompensable ratings for painful and weakened motion of the ring and little fingers.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a right thumb injury, Degenerative arthritis of the right long finger, Limitation of motion of the right index finger, Painful and weakened motion of the right ring finger, Painful and weakened motion of the right little finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 26, 2023
- Citation
- 23058040
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 23058040.
What this means for you
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Denied
The veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 60 percent, which does not meet the schedular requirements for a total rating based on individual unemployability. The case has been referred to the Director of VA Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.
- 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.
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