The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether arthritis of the left thumb is service-connected and for making a determination based on VA treatment records.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- left thumb sprain, degenerative joint disease of the left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 30, 2015
- Citation
- 1532572
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1532572.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or a grant of service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of right thumb sprain, left thumb sprain, and left shoulder condition. The Board found that medical opinions were inadequate and needed to address the veteran's theory of entitlement due to chemical exposure in Southwest Asia.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's left thumb and right ankle disabilities, as the previous VA examinations did not adequately assess functional loss due to repetitive use over time or during flare-ups.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and back conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU.
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