The Veteran's right thumb impairment is rated at 30 percent, but no higher, as a moderately severe muscle disability. The appeal for a separate rating for nerve damage affecting the right thumb is remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's shrapnel wound in his right thumb led to osteomyelitis (prolonged infection) requiring emergency surgery and he has reported cardinal signs of muscle disability including weakness, pain, and fatigue. However, there is no objective evidence of severe impairment of function.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Thumb Impairment
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 24, 2024
- Citation
- A24059975
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 A24059975.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of issues related to PTSD and right thumb impairment. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations remain on appeal.
- Denied
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- 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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