The veteran's appeal is about his initial compensable evaluation for the residuals of a right thumb fracture. The RO granted service connection but assigned a noncompensable evaluation, and the veteran wants an increased rating based on loss of motion and weakness in the thumb.
The deciding factor: VA did not make reasonable efforts to obtain updated treatment records from Dr. Palmer due to expired authorization form.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a right thumb fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 29, 2005
- Citation
- 0517746
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 0517746.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the right ankle sprain and denied higher ratings for the other conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for the Veteran's residuals of a right thumb fracture based on the evidence of record.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for alcohol use disorder and an anxiety disorder, granted service connection for a deviated septum, and granted ratings of 80 percent but no higher for narcolepsy and 20 percent but no higher for dry eye syndrome with arcus senillis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right thumb fracture and degenerative arthritis due to inadequate discussion regarding the adequacy of the VA Hand and Finger examination, as well as unclear findings on symptoms of numbness, coldness, and tingling.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.