The Board has determined that the evidence received since the last final denial in June 1997 is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The newly submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim as it only reiterates facts already present in the record at the time of the June 1997 decision.
- Claimed conditions
- left thumb injury, skin fungus infection on the left foot
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2015
- Citation
- 1553349
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 1553349.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for status post reconstruction of right nasal side-wall defect with advancement flap with pharyngitis and remanded the other issues.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for facial scarring, left index finger injury, left ring finger injury, left little finger injury, left thumb injury, left wrist injury, and skin disease (claimed as 'rash all over body') due to potential new evidence. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination if his preexisting conditions are confirmed during the appellate period.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining service treatment records, determining if the Veteran was exposed to toxic substances while serving in the Navy, and providing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's prostate cancer.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her left thumb injury with limited motion is remanded due to the inadequacy of the January 2022 VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion.
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.