The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability associated with treatment for an open mid-shaft second middle phalanx fracture of the right index finger is denied as there is no evidence that VA care caused his current condition.
The deciding factor: The medical records do not support a finding that VA's treatment was careless, negligent or otherwise faulted. The Veteran's disability is more likely due to the dog bite injury than to any alleged improper treatment by VA.
- Claimed conditions
- Right index finger fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 13, 2018
- Citation
- 18157597
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 18157597.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hand pain prior to April 13, 2018. A retrospective VA opinion is needed to clarify whether the Veteran experienced painful motion before that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied a higher evaluation for the service-connected right index finger fracture and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial rating for his right index finger fracture has been granted at 10 percent. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of acquired psychiatric disability, right shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder due to lack of evidence in the record.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment.
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