The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, finding that the correct effective date for service connection of ulnar nerve injury was November 5, 1985. The claim for increased rating of left clavicle disability was not granted as there was no increase in severity prior to March 2006.
The deciding factor: The veteran's original claims were filed within one year of his separation from service and the effective date is set at the day following discharge or release. For the increased rating claim, the Board found that an increase in disability did not precede the claim by more than a year.
- Claimed conditions
- ulnar nerve injury of the left hand, fracture of the left small finger (left little finger), degenerative joint disease of the left clavicle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2008
- Citation
- 0831631
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 0831631.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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).
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- Whole decision: Granted
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