The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right hand disorder, specifically right thumb pain, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2009 VA examination. An addendum opinion is needed from another suitably qualified examiner.
The deciding factor: The September 2009 VA examination was inadequate and does not address whether the Veteran's current right hand disorder is related to service, including any potential secondary effects on her right wrist arthropathy.
- Claimed conditions
- right hand disorder, right thumb pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2014
- Citation
- 1418645
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 1418645.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, right hand disorder, and right hip disorder are granted. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remand the case for further action.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as additional VA examinations and opinions.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board also remanded cases for right foot, left foot, right hand, headaches (migraine), and right shoulder disorders due to duty-to-assist errors.
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