The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for traumatic arthritis of the right fifth finger is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current state of his condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran reported worsening symptoms since his last VA examination, including fixed position and swelling in his right fifth finger. The Board finds that an additional examination is required to determine the current severity of his traumatic arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthritis of the right fifth finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 29, 2018
- Citation
- 18105859
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 18105859.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the right fifth finger, a residual scar on the right hand, and painful motion of the right ring finger. The Veteran is now receiving the highest available disability rating under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's initial compensable rating for traumatic arthritis of the right fifth finger prior to December 3, 2013, is denied. From December 3, 2013, a 20 percent rating is granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant, as his need is primarily due to a non-service-connected cerebrovascular accident.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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