The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused his current left hand disorder, which the Board finds was not willful misconduct. The Board grants service connection for residuals of a left hand injury from an in-service motor vehicle accident.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's alcohol abuse was found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD and thus not willful misconduct.
- Claimed conditions
- left hand disorder, left dorsal hand mass, invasive extensor tenosynovitis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2016
- Citation
- 1613186
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 1613186.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for an increased disability evaluation for a right index finger scar and service connection for a left hand disorder due to withdrawal of these appeals by the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to notify the Veteran of his right to a pre-decisional hearing. The AOJ is instructed to provide the Veteran with notice concerning his right to a hearing and then re-adjudicate the claims.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remand the case for further action.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to readjudicate his previously denied claim for service connection for a left hand disorder, and remanded the matter for further development.
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