The veteran's claims for service connection for burns of the feet and a higher rating for residuals of laceration of the 4th finger of the left hand were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking current foot problems to an incident in service, including any reported burns of the feet. For the residuals of laceration of the 4th finger of the left hand, the Board noted symptoms such as pain and numbness but concluded that these did not warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The veteran's current foot problems were not present in service or for many years later, and they are not related to any acute and transient foot problems in service, including any reported burns of the feet. The residuals of laceration of the 4th finger of the left hand have been manifested primarily by a painful scar due to incomplete paralysis of the median nerve since November 1997.
- Claimed conditions
- Burns of the feet, Laceration of the 4th finger of the left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 8, 2001
- Citation
- 0115781
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0115781.
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).
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