The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 21, 2015 for the Veteran's claims related to his right thumb, left thumb, right index finger, left index finger, right long finger, and left long finger. The Board also granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had marked limitation of motion in his right ankle, warranting a higher rating than what was initially assigned.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Thumb, Left Thumb, Right Index Finger, Left Index Finger, Right Long Finger, Left Long Finger, Right Ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 27, 2026
- Citation
- A26007269
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 A26007269.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist. The AOJ will need to obtain additional evidence and provide a new or addendum medical opinion.
- Denied
The Veteran's right thumb disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for an increased rating has been denied.,The Veteran's right index finger disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for an increased rating has been denied.,The Veteran's right long finger disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for an increased rating has been denied.,The Veteran's right ring finger disability is currently rated at 0 percent (noncompensable) and the claim for an increased rating has been denied.,The Veteran's right little finger disability is currently rated at 0 percent (noncompensable) and the claim for an increased rating has been denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities as there was no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following active service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ankle and left knee conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
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