Granted
The Board granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb, effective from December 16, 2024.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated a gap of more than two inches (5.1 cm) between the thumb pad and fingers during flare-ups, warranting a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5228.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the right thumb
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 16, 2025
- Citation
- 25012950
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