The Board denied service connection for a right index finger disability and residuals of a myocardial infarction, finding that the preexisting conditions did not worsen during active duty or National Guard service.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the appellant's right index finger fracture clearly and unmistakably preexisted his active duty service and was not aggravated by such service. Additionally, heart disease was not manifest during active duty service or within one year of separation thereof, and a myocardial infarction was not incurred during active duty training.
- Claimed conditions
- right index finger disability, residuals of a myocardial infarction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2009
- Citation
- 0903135
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support a higher or compensable rating for any of the conditions on appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left foot, right foot, right index finger, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as fatigue claimed under the PACT Act, due to a need for in-person VA examinations and medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and disabilities affecting each finger as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, including exposure to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).
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