The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected left index finger disability and his current left wrist condition, as well as to consider whether a higher rating for his service-connected left index finger disability is warranted on an extra-schedular basis.
The deciding factor: Additional medical opinions are needed to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's current left wrist arthritis and its relationship to his service-connected left index finger disability.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis, left wrist, arthritis, left index finger with left index mallet deformity
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2016
- Citation
- 1647441
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 1647441.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to assess the severity of his service-connected arthritis and any neurological manifestations. The AOJ should also consider whether a separate rating is warranted for any neurological impairment and whether referral for assignment of a higher rating on an extra-schedular basis is appropriate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a neurological examination to determine if there are any neurological impairments of the left index finger. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more contemporaneous examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected arthritis, left index finger with left index mallet deformity. The RO should also consider whether this claim meets the criteria for submission for extra-schedular consideration.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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