The veteran is seeking service connection for arthritis of the left ring finger, which he claims was caused by an injury during his military service. The VA examiner found that there is a relationship between the current condition and the in-service injury, but also noted some confusion regarding this relationship.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner could not clearly establish whether the current left third finger disability is etiologically related to an old chip fracture of the same finger during service.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis of the left ring finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2008
- Citation
- 0807348
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 0807348.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left wrist and hand disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hand, effective January 28, 2019. The earlier effective dates for arthritis of the left index finger and ring fingers were also granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for updated examinations and consideration of all his symptoms. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his current increased rating claims.
- Whole decision: Granted
Service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome was restored effective January 12, 2018. The Veteran's arthritis of the left hand and related conditions were rated at 40 percent since January 12, 2018.
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