The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 22, 2011 for a 40 percent rating for service-connected left hand disability involving ankylosis of the thumb and fingers was granted. The Board also found that his left shoulder RSD is secondary to his service-connected left hand disability.
The deciding factor: The effective date for the increased rating was assigned based on the date of receipt of the claim, as the increase in symptomatology occurred within one year prior to the Veteran filing a new claim for an earlier effective date.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Hand Disability (including ankylosis of the thumb and fingers), Left Shoulder Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 2, 2015
- Citation
- 1504769
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 1504769.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
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