The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Service connection for a bilateral hand disability and sleep disorder were also denied. The Veteran's left index finger disability has been granted service connection, but the effective date of August 27, 2003 remains unchanged.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.,There is no current diagnosis for the bilateral hand disability or sleep disorder. The left index finger disability has been granted service connection but with a non-compensable rating due to mild limitation of motion and loss of functional capacity.
- Claimed conditions
- acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), bilateral hand disability, left index finger disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2009
- Citation
- 0941903
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 0941903.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal of a 10% rating for left index finger disability since July 12, 2016 is dismissed because the initial decision was not an 'initial decision' under the AMA and proper procedures were not followed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to procedural errors in the adjudication process. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence and a thorough review of all relevant medical records.
- 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: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hand disability, including exertional paresthesias and carpal tunnel syndrome, is granted as service-connected. The decision also remands the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus.
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