The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right hand or right arm and shoulder disability that is related to his service-connected amputation of the middle phalanx of the right ring finger. The evidence did not show continuity of symptoms since service, and there was no credible evidence of arthritis within one year of service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's assertions of current right hand and arm/shoulder disabilities were found to be lacking in credibility due to their lack of mention prior to his September 2009 application for benefits. The VA examination did not find a direct relationship between the service-connected amputation and the current conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hand Disability, Right Arm and Shoulder Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2016
- Citation
- 1615707
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 1615707.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the current evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, and thus remands the claims for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted, and he is awarded separate initial 10 percent ratings for left hand strain with painful index finger motion and long finger motion. The claims for other disabilities are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right knee, right foot/ankle, left hand, and right hand disabilities to correct a duty to assist error by obtaining new VA examinations and opinions.
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