The Board granted service connection for arthritis of the left thumb, finding that it was incurred in service. The other issues (tinea pedis and a skin condition) were not addressed due to remand.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner linked the veteran's left thumb arthritis to an inservice shrapnel injury.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the left thumb
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2002
- Citation
- 0217561
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 0217561.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the left thumb was dismissed as she stated satisfaction with the current rating.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings from March 6, 2020, for DDD of the lumbar spine, plantar fasciitis of the bilateral feet, and migraine headaches were also dismissed due to her satisfaction with the current ratings.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine, migraine headaches, left thumb arthritis and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded due to her inability to attend recent VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings have been denied as her arthritis of the thumbs, index fingers, long fingers, ring fingers, and little fingers do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The Veteran's arthritis of the right knee and feet were also found to not warrant an increase in rating.,The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome has been remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis of the left elbow, right elbow, left thumb, right thumb, cervical spine, and lumbar spine as well as seasonal allergic rhinitis due to potential CBRNE exposure during service. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to evaluate his claimed disabilities.
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