The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left fifth finger disability was denied as the maximum allowable schedular rating has been assigned, and amputation is not a viable option due to functional impairment.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations found that the Veteran had limited motion of the left fifth finger with pain but no ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- left fifth finger boutonniere deformity, mallet finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- August 20, 2024
- Citation
- A24047915
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 A24047915.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's mallet finger, finding that it is related to an in-service injury.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for peptic ulcer disease, left leg disability, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperplastic colon polyp were dismissed. Claims for right ankle disability, seizure disorder, emphysema, bunion, GERD, and alcoholism were granted but remanded for further review. The claim for abnormal liver function was denied.
- 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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