The veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a right thumb injury. The RO denied the claim due to lack of in-service evidence, but the veteran provided an account of his alleged injury during service and submitted a statement from a munitions safety specialist who opined that either the weight of the massive bolt cycling back and forth or the impact of the cocking lever assembly could have caused the thumb injury. The RO has ordered a VA examination to determine if the current right thumb disability is at least as likely as not related to service.
The deciding factor: The veteran's account of an in-service injury was provided by a non-medical source, and no medical nexus linking the current disability to service has been established.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a right thumb injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2008
- Citation
- 0842631
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 0842631.
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: Dismissed
Your appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of your appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claim(s) at this time.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right thumb injury, a right wrist disability, and a left knee disability. The decisions are based on the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and current diagnoses.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for an examination of the Veteran's right thumb residuals. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development on issues related to a higher rating for right thumb injuries and TDIU. The Veteran's employment history is unclear, and his Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits claim records are needed.
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