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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2009
- Citation
- 0903135
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,772 · Granted: 37% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0903135.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for chronic dry eye, chronic fatigue syndrome, constipation, IBS, left little finger disability, left index finger disability, left thumb disability, left ring finger disability, left long finger disability, right ring finger disability, right index finger disability, right long finger disability, and right thumb disability due to an error in the initial decision. The Veteran was not provided with notice of her right to a hearing on these issues.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new medical opinions are needed to address whether the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to service, including as due to overuse or wear and tear. The claims for service connection are being remanded.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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.