The veteran claims service connection for a right thumb disability, but the RO finds no evidence of such in his records and requests an examination to determine if he currently has any right thumb disability. The examiner should then decide whether this condition is related to military service.
The deciding factor: The absence of medical records documenting the presence of a right thumb disability in the veteran's service or post-service records, combined with the lack of evidence linking it to his period of service.
- Claimed conditions
- right thumb disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 2, 2003
- Citation
- 0326106
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0326106.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including gastrointestinal issues, foot problems, ED, hemorrhoids, hernia, hypertension, nerve conditions in the lower extremities, shoulder and thumb issues, except for right ear hearing loss which was granted.
- Granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right thumb disability and a separate 10 percent rating for his painful right thumb scar.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for a new examination to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the evaluation of the Veteran's right thumb disability.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and cannabis use disorder, lumbosacral strain, right elbow burn scars, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, low testosterone, and left knee disability. However, service connection was granted for TBI, left forehead scar, and left arm scars.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.