The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left index finger disorder. The claim will now be evaluated on its merits.
The deciding factor: New and material evidence, in the form of the veteran's testimony at a Travel Board hearing, was presented since the final April 1972 determination denying his claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Left index finger disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2003
- Citation
- 0323560
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 0323560.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, jaw disorder, hernias, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, left index finger disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder as there was no evidence of a current disability at any time during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lower back disorder, a neck disorder, and a left index finger disorder. The Board also granted an initial rating of 10 percent for temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and medical opinions regarding service connection for right and left index finger disorders. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disorder but denied service connection for all other claimed conditions due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.
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