The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand condition was denied as there is no credible evidence of a current disability related to his in-service injury, and the only competent medical opinion evidence weighs against the claim.
The deciding factor: There is no credible evidence of continuous bilateral hand symptoms after service or medical evidence suggesting a chronic bilateral hand disability for many years post-service. The only competent, probative medical opinion evidence on the question of medical etiology weighs against the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hand Condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 23, 2016
- Citation
- 1611809
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 1611809.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hand condition due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ is instructed to obtain adequate medical opinions addressing these issues.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, left elbow, and bilateral hand conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is required to obtain a new opinion from an appropriate examiner.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for low back condition, bilateral hand condition, right shoulder injury, and bilateral knee conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is rated at 100 percent, and the claim for service connection of stroke residuals, bilateral hand condition, bilateral foot condition, and memory loss are remanded.
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