The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more contemporaneous examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected arthritis, left index finger with left index mallet deformity. The RO should also consider whether this claim meets the criteria for submission for extra-schedular consideration.
The deciding factor: The Veteran testified that his service-connected arthritis has worsened and is impacting his ability to do his job, warranting further examination and review of the case for possible extra-schedular considerations.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis, left index finger with left index mallet deformity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 22, 2011
- Citation
- 1127436
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1127436.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected left index finger disability and his current left wrist condition, as well as to consider whether a higher rating for his service-connected left index finger disability is warranted on an extra-schedular basis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a neurological examination to determine if there are any neurological impairments of the left index finger. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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.