Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Whole decision: Denied

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim. The cervical spine disability is presumed to have existed prior to service, but the Board also found no evidence of aggravation during service or post-service.

The deciding factor: The pre-existing right hand disability was not aggravated by service beyond natural progression.

Claimed conditions
Right Hand Disability, Cervical Spine Disability
How they argued it
Presumptive (no nexus needed)
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
July 20, 2012
Citation
1225356

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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1225356.

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.

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. How we handle your email.

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.