The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his left hand long finger disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2015 VA examinations. The Board requires a new examination to assess the current severity of these disabilities, including measurements between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm with the finger flexed to the extent possible for the left hand long finger disability, and compliance with the requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 4.59 involving measurements of passive and active range of motion - in both weight bearing and non-weight bearing for the left knee disability.
The deciding factor: The September 2015 VA examinations did not fully assess the Veteran's disabilities, including providing measurements between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm with the finger flexed to the extent possible for the left hand long finger disability, and compliance with the requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 4.59 involving measurements of passive and active range of motion - in both weight bearing and non-weight bearing for the left knee disability.
- Claimed conditions
- left hand long finger disability, left knee disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18153228
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 18153228.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2012 VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability, and a new addendum opinion is needed.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as these issues have been addressed in a separate docket.
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