The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for his right ring finger disability is denied as the applicable Diagnostic Codes do not provide for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The applicable DCs (5010-5230) do not provide for a compensable rating due to limitation of motion of the ring or little finger, even with consideration of pain and functional loss.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic arthritis, Fracture of proximal 4th phalanx, right ring finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2026
- Citation
- A26015144
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 A26015144.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, including as secondary to service-connected left shoulder arthritis due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service injury or disease.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability, including internal derangement with osteoarthritis and posttraumatic arthritis, was rated at 10 percent prior to February 15, 2021. Since August 1, 2021, the Veteran has been rated at 60 percent for chronic residuals of a left knee replacement surgery. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence supporting a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's left wrist disability was rated as 10 percent prior to July 6, 2011 and from November 1, 2011, to April 25, 2013. From July 1, 2013 to March 13, 2020, the Veteran was rated at 20 percent. Since March 14, 2020, he is rated at 70 percent for loss of use of the left hand.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to July 10, 2017 is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran meets criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis as of January 12, 2010 and grants an increased rating for his bilateral wrist disabilities.
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