{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/finger-s-amputation-of-one-or-more","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:27.452Z","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(s) amputation of one or more","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1556,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":10.3,"denied_pct":37.8,"remanded_pct":50.6,"granted_on_merits_pct":21.5,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":152,"granted_pct":9.2,"denied_pct":32.2,"remanded_pct":52},{"year":2018,"issues":266,"granted_pct":12,"denied_pct":35,"remanded_pct":50.8},{"year":2019,"issues":282,"granted_pct":9.9,"denied_pct":31.9,"remanded_pct":55},{"year":2020,"issues":198,"granted_pct":7.6,"denied_pct":38.9,"remanded_pct":53},{"year":2021,"issues":185,"granted_pct":7,"denied_pct":31.9,"remanded_pct":55.7},{"year":2022,"issues":172,"granted_pct":7,"denied_pct":28.5,"remanded_pct":62.2},{"year":2023,"issues":203,"granted_pct":6.4,"denied_pct":35.5,"remanded_pct":56.7},{"year":2024,"issues":174,"granted_pct":9.8,"denied_pct":43.1,"remanded_pct":46.6},{"year":2025,"issues":228,"granted_pct":18,"denied_pct":39,"remanded_pct":41.7},{"year":2026,"issues":108,"granted_pct":13.9,"denied_pct":52.8,"remanded_pct":33.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":62.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":146,"granted_pct_with":34.6,"granted_pct_without":19.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1038,"granted_pct_with":18.8,"granted_pct_without":30.6},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":137,"granted_pct_with":40.2,"granted_pct_without":19},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":586,"granted_pct_with":19.3,"granted_pct_without":23.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":328,"granted_pct_with":25.5,"granted_pct_without":20.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1210,"granted_pct_with":21,"granted_pct_without":23.4},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":42,"granted_pct_with":51.9,"granted_pct_without":20.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":63,"granted_pct_with":27.3,"granted_pct_without":21.2}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":16},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":8},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":7},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":6},{"reason":"criteria for 10 percent rating met","decisions":5},{"reason":"presumption of soundness not rebutted","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":64},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":51},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":42},{"reason":"criteria for compensable rating not met","decisions":26},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":22},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":14}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26038500","year":2026,"judge":"E. I. VELEZ","rationale":"Veteran reported onset of symptoms during ADT.; Service treatment records corroborate in-service injury (benign bone cyst).; VA examiner opinion found inadequate for failing to address pain and diagnostic imaging.; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor."},{"case_id":"A26024766","year":2026,"judge":"E. I. VELEZ","rationale":"Service treatment records document injury to right fourth digit while at Naval Academy.; X-ray report shows fracture on right fourth finger.; VA examiner's opinion was inadequate due to incorrect factual premise regarding duty periods."},{"case_id":"26002628","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL R. CASEY","rationale":"Evidence in equipoise; Benefit of doubt resolved in Veteran's favor; Corroborating statement from fellow service member"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26039984","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"No ankylosis shown in evidence; VA exam found no ankylosis; Private opinion lacked probative value"},{"case_id":"A26039632","year":2026,"judge":"K. PARAKKAL","rationale":"No current disability found; VA examination found normal range of motion and no pain; March 2024 note indicated full extension, no deformity"},{"case_id":"A26038283","year":2026,"judge":"TANYA SMITH","rationale":"No evidence of arthritis, ankylosis, or loss of use of right hand; No other service-connected finger conditions; Applicable diagnostic codes do not provide for a compensable rating for a single little finger disability"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}