The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of myotonic dystrophy and a higher initial rating for his right hand disability. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's myotonic dystrophy was a congenital condition not caused by or aggravated by his in-service injuries, and thus denied service connection. For his right hand disability, the Board found no evidence to support an increased rating beyond 10 percent since July 14, 2014.
The deciding factor: The examiner concluded that the Veteran's myotonic dystrophy was a congenital condition not caused by or aggravated by his in-service injuries, and thus denied service connection. For his right hand disability, the Board found no evidence to support an increased rating beyond 10 percent since July 14, 2014.
- Claimed conditions
- myotonic dystrophy, fracture of the fifth metacarpal
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2014
- Citation
- 1452473
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 1452473.
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: Denied
The Veteran's adult children, L.R. and G.R., were found to have not become permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 due to myotonic dystrophy.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's daughters, L.R., Y.R., and G.R., have been diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy prior to attaining the age of 18. Their disability has progressively worsened over the years. The VA needs to obtain SSA records for their children and invite them to submit additional evidence regarding their inability to self-support.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and failure to substantially comply with all of its previous remand directives.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for myotonic dystrophy and right leg disorder due to new evidence received since the final November 2007 denial. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's myotonic dystrophy.
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