Service connection is denied for residuals of a head injury, to include a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Service connection is granted for arthritis of the right thumb.,The Veteran's current right thumb pain is related to his in-service fracture.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of chronic neurological symptoms following service and the VA examiner opined that any current neurological symptoms are less likely than not related to an in-service head injury. The right thumb fracture was confirmed by X-ray, and a VA physician concluded it is more likely than not related to the Veteran's current right thumb pain.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a head injury, to include a traumatic brain injury (TBI), Arthritis of the right thumb
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- July 26, 2016
- Citation
- 1629789
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 1629789.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. As the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an award of special monthly compensation, as no disability is considered 100 percent disabling, plus an additional separate disability or disabilities combining to 60 percent disabling, his TDIU claim has been dismissed as moot.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings have been denied as her arthritis of the thumbs, index fingers, long fingers, ring fingers, and little fingers do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The Veteran's arthritis of the right knee and feet were also found to not warrant an increase in rating.,The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome has been remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis of the left elbow, right elbow, left thumb, right thumb, cervical spine, and lumbar spine as well as seasonal allergic rhinitis due to potential CBRNE exposure during service. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to evaluate his claimed disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected right thumb disability, characterized by ankylosis of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and interphalangeal (IP) joints with favorable function, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of impairment.
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