The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's right hand disability. The Veteran is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his flexion contracture of the right (middle finger) proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and pleural calcification due to asbestos exposure, but further development is needed before a final determination can be made.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional efforts were required in order to obtain any outstanding service personnel records. Specifically, the JMR indicated that the appropriate code for requesting relevant records is '20'. The Veteran also needs an examination to assess the extent and severity of his right hand disability and its impact on his strength and dexterity.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a right foot injury, flexion contracture of the right (middle finger) proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, pleural calcification due to asbestos exposure
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2015
- Citation
- 1549181
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 1549181.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right foot, left foot, right ankle, and left ankle injuries incurred during military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right foot injury and lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, hypertension, chronic obstructive lung disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and residuals of a right foot injury are all denied. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is also remanded.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal as the RO granted service connection for right foot arthritis and a right elbow strain with limitation of extension during the pendency of this appeal.
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