{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/finger-impairment","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:08.036Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Finger impairment","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":875,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":17,"denied_pct":45.6,"remanded_pct":37.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":27.2,"by_year":[{"year":2019,"issues":91,"granted_pct":16.5,"denied_pct":54.9,"remanded_pct":27.5},{"year":2020,"issues":161,"granted_pct":11.8,"denied_pct":52.2,"remanded_pct":35.4},{"year":2021,"issues":201,"granted_pct":14.4,"denied_pct":50.7,"remanded_pct":33.3},{"year":2022,"issues":141,"granted_pct":14.2,"denied_pct":44,"remanded_pct":40.4},{"year":2023,"issues":181,"granted_pct":13.8,"denied_pct":39.8,"remanded_pct":41.4},{"year":2024,"issues":140,"granted_pct":17.9,"denied_pct":45.7,"remanded_pct":35.7},{"year":2025,"issues":174,"granted_pct":18.4,"denied_pct":47.7,"remanded_pct":33.3},{"year":2026,"issues":60,"granted_pct":21.7,"denied_pct":58.3,"remanded_pct":20}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":63.1,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":110,"granted_pct_with":52.2,"granted_pct_without":22.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":717,"granted_pct_with":26.3,"granted_pct_without":33.9},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":87,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":23.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":371,"granted_pct_with":31.3,"granted_pct_without":23.9},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":172,"granted_pct_with":34.2,"granted_pct_without":25.3},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":750,"granted_pct_with":27.1,"granted_pct_without":27.9}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":21},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":6},{"reason":"criteria for 10 percent rating met","decisions":4},{"reason":"in-service injury documented","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":63},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":29},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":23},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":16},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":15},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":12}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040627","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"No actual improvement in disability; No actual improvement in ability to function under ordinary conditions; Painful motion documented in prior exams; Veteran's testimony credible"},{"case_id":"A26036371","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL R. CASEY","rationale":"Diagnosis of status post right 5th phalange PIP joint fusion with limitation of motion conceded.; In-service onset of right finger disability conceded.; February and April 2021 VA opinions found inadequate for failing to consider Veteran's statements and misdating injury.; March 2025 private opinion… [truncated, 157 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26033570","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS L. ENGLISH","rationale":"Favorable finding of ankylosis conceded by RO; Veteran credible regarding in-service injury and continuity of symptoms; VA examiner's negative opinion inadequate due to reliance on absence of STR documentation"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26034752","year":2026,"judge":"THOMAS H. O'SHAY","rationale":"No current disability established; No continuity of symptomatology; No functional impairment of earning capacity"},{"case_id":"A26030411","year":2026,"judge":"YVETTE R. WHITE","rationale":"Already receiving maximum rating under DC 5230; DC 5230 does not provide compensable rating for painful motion alone; No alternative diagnostic codes applicable for higher rating"},{"case_id":"A26029417","year":2026,"judge":"L. M. BARNARD","rationale":"10% rating granted as of May 5, 2021; Criteria for higher rating not met"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}