The Veteran's left middle finger scar and disability were previously denied, but the Board has determined that a compensable rating is warranted for the scar from July 8, 2023. The disability remains in dispute.,From July 8, 2023, the Veteran's service-connected left middle finger disability (arthritis) warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s laceration scar over the DIP joint was not painful or unstable prior to July 8, 2023. However, from this date onwards, the Veteran experienced chronic pain and loss of range of motion in his left middle finger, which is indicative of arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Middle Finger Scar, Left Middle Finger Disability (Arthrosis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 3, 2023
- Citation
- 23059608
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 23059608.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of an injury to the left middle finger was denied by the RO, as his disability is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- 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.
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