The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right-hand index finger post fracture of middle and proximal phalanges and right-hand degenerative arthritis is denied as the maximum schedular rating available for limitation of motion of the index finger, whether with the dominant or nondominant hand, is 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disability does not demonstrate ankylosis, functional equivalent to amputation, or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating. The maximum schedular rating available for limitation of motion of the index finger, whether with the dominant or nondominant hand, is 10 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- right-hand index finger post fracture of middle and proximal phalanges, right-hand degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2024
- Citation
- A24066527
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 216 · Granted: 32% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A24066527.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, instability, and total knee replacement, left knee scar, right-hand degenerative arthritis disability, left-hand osteoarthritis disability, and lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims for left shoulder disability, higher evaluations for hip disabilities, and TDIU are remanded.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of all listed conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right-hand disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary service connection. The Board also found that the preponderance of the evidence did not show that the Veteran’s current degenerative arthritis was related to his in-service right wrist laceration.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left-hand and right-hand degenerative arthritis due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also being remanded for a new evaluation of his scar condition.
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