The Veteran's service-connected left index finger, left long finger, and left hand scars disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation as the last VA examination is unduly remote.
The deciding factor: The April 2012 VA examination is considered too old to accurately assess the current severity of the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- left index finger disability, left long finger disability, left hand scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2018
- Citation
- 18140382
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 18140382.
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 Board remands the claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and disabilities affecting each finger as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, including exposure to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple orthopedic disabilities related to injuries sustained while wrestling in service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded a claim for further development.
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