The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of low back disability, left lower extremity numbness, right lower extremity numbness, and left upper extremity numbness. The initial evaluation for fracture of the right little finger was granted with a 10% rating. Service connection for TBI prior to October 23, 2008, and PTSD since that date were both granted with increased ratings. Finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted prior to December 20, 2010. Special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound status (SMC/HB) was granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's appeal for service connection of low back disability, left lower extremity numbness, right lower extremity numbness, and left upper extremity numbness were denied as they did not meet the criteria for service connection. The initial evaluation for fracture of the right little finger was granted with a 10% rating based on functional impairment. Service connection for TBI prior to October 23, 2008, and PTSD since that date were both granted with increased ratings due to moderate impairment in memory, attention, concentration, and executive function for TBI, and occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood for PTSD. Finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted prior to December 20, 2010.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disability, Left Lower Extremity Numbness, Right Lower Extremity Numbness, Left Upper Extremity Numbness, Right Upper Extremity Numbness, Left Ear Hearing Loss Disability, Fracture of Right Little Finger (Right Little Finger), Left Knee Disability, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Depressive Disorder NOS (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2016
- Citation
- 1616930
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 1616930.
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: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, and the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of clear and unmistakable error in assigning an effective date of June 19, 2002.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
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