The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a left little finger disability due to new and material evidence. The claim is granted as the Veteran experienced chronic symptoms in service and continuous symptoms since separation, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran provided credible testimony regarding his injury during service and subsequent continuous symptoms post-service, which met the criteria for presumptive service connection based on chronicity of symptoms in service and continuity of symptoms after service.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a left little finger disability, arthritis of the left little finger
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18103167
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18103167.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left wrist and hand disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability and his initial compensable evaluation claim for arthritis of the left little finger were both denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a back disability, and there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that any current arthritis of the left little finger is related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left little finger and a dental condition have been remanded due to inadequate compliance with previous Board directives. The VA is required to provide additional medical opinions that address the nature and etiology of these conditions, including consideration of relevant lay and medical evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for updated examinations and consideration of all his symptoms. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his current increased rating claims.
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