The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right thumb and wrist disability, diagnosed as a sprain of the first metacarpal trapezial joint of the right thumb, did not manifest in active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for this condition is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion was based on a negative finding regarding an etiological relationship between the Veteran's current disability and the in-service injury, supported by the long period between the in-service injury and the diagnosis of the current disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Sprain of the first metacarpal trapezial joint of the right thumb
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2014
- Citation
- 1456125
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 1456125.
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).
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