The Board denied higher disability ratings for service-connected right thumb, index finger, middle finger, little finger, and ring finger arthritis. The maximum available rating was granted for each condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes due to noncompensable limitation of motion or ankylosis in all fingers except the thumb, which had a gap of 3cm between the pad and fingers. The Board found no evidence of amputation or conditions equivalent to amputation.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Thumb Arthritis, Right Index Finger Arthritis, Right Middle Finger Arthritis, Right Little Finger Arthritis, Right Ring Finger Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 10, 2024
- Citation
- A24082076
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 A24082076.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's right thumb arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence of a gap greater than two inches between the thumb pad and fingers, with the thumb attempting to oppose the fingers. Therefore, an increased rating beyond 10 percent is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right hand thumb and finger disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TBI, headaches, GERD, and right thumb arthritis are granted. The lower extremity radiculopathy claims are remanded for further examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's right thumb and little finger disabilities are rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective March 22, 2013. The Veteran is granted a higher rating for the right thumb but denied for the right little finger.
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