The veteran's claims for increased evaluation, earlier effective date, and service connection for right hand arthritis and left hand condition were denied.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence of current right hand arthritis or a left hand condition that could be attributed to the service-connected 5th right finger disability. The claim for an increased evaluation was withdrawn by the veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- right hand arthritis, left hand condition
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 12, 2009
- Citation
- 0905178
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left leg conditions, as well as right and left hand conditions, to schedule VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right hand conditions to correct a duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right hand arthritis to obtain a new VA medical opinion addressing the Veteran's disability under a presumption of soundness.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including OSA, cervical spine condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and others, but dismissed appeals for obesity, TMJ, insomnia, left elbow, and right elbow. The Board also denied an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for acquired psychiatric disorder.
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