The Board denied service connection for residuals of a fracture of the right fifth metacarpal, carpal tunnel syndrome with ganglion cyst of the right wrist (claim withdrawn), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and an initial rating higher than 10 percent prior to September 24, 2004, and to a rating higher than 30 percent thereafter for residuals of a closed head injury, to include migraine headaches.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims as there was no documentation of an in-service fracture or continuity of symptoms post-service. The claim for carpal tunnel syndrome with ganglion cyst of the right wrist was withdrawn by the Veteran during the appeal process.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a fracture of the right fifth metacarpal, Carpal tunnel syndrome with ganglion cyst of the right wrist, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Residuals of a closed head injury, to include migraine headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0904475
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,836 · Granted: 31% (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 0904475.
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 case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral lower extremity conditions and PTSD, resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities such that he is entitled to specially adapted housing.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are related to military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right and left hand pain are granted increased ratings, while his PTSD is denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent.
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.