The Veteran's left thumb scar is currently rated as noncompensable prior to September 26, 2016 and 10 percent thereafter. The VA examiner found significant decreased grip strength in the left hand and numbness in the thumb. A remand is ordered for a VA peripheral nerves examination.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner noted significant decreased grip strength and numbness in the Veteran's left thumb, warranting further evaluation of associated neurological symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- left thumb scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 10, 2018
- Citation
- 18141414
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 18141414.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for the claimed conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeal in its entirety prior to the promulgation of a decision, citing satisfaction with the October 2024 supplemental statement of the case and rating decision.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals of entitlement to increased disability ratings, initial compensable ratings, and initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, chronic rhinitis, and headaches. The appeal of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and left thumb scar was also dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates for left thumb disability and scar, as well as initial ratings for these conditions. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.
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