The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examination reports and social security administration records. The claims will be readjudicated after the additional development.
The deciding factor: Further clarification of the extent and severity of the Veteran's right thumb disability and acquired psychiatric condition is needed to determine appropriate ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a fracture of the right thumb with traumatic arthritis, right thumb scar, acquired psychiatric disability to include an adjustment disorder with depressed mood
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2015
- Citation
- 1518027
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 1518027.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient evidence regarding his Reserve service. The claims for left wrist injury, scar, psychiatric disorder, thumb disorders, TMJ, jaw infection, and dental disorder are being reviewed again.
- Granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right thumb disability and a separate 10 percent rating for his painful right thumb scar.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right thumb disability, left wrist scars, and right thumb scar.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 7, 2009, for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and scars, but denied increased ratings for the same conditions.
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.
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.