The Board denied increased ratings for various finger disabilities and polyneuropathies, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from March 31, 2021.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support higher ratings due to the limited extent of the Veteran's symptoms, which were consistent with noncompensable or low-level compensable criteria under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Left clubbed index finger, Left clubbed long finger, Left clubbed thumb, Left clubbed ring finger, Left clubbed little finger, Right clubbed index finger, Right clubbed long finger, Right clubbed thumb, Right clubbed ring finger, Right clubbed little finger, Polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity, Polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity, Polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity, Polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2025
- Citation
- A25032693
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, left upper extremity and right upper extremity based on a finding that it is at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and dismissed the appeals for service connection of various other conditions as well as for compensable ratings.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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