The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand, including whether it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or peripheral neuropathy.
The deciding factor: Additional medical opinions are needed to address the appropriate theories of entitlement (service connection) and provide a supporting explanation for any negative secondary service connection opinion provided in April 2014.
- Claimed conditions
- Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2018
- Citation
- 1816851
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 1816851.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted a 10% rating for Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand based on limitation of motion of the thumb, index finger, and long finger from June 1, 2018, through May 23, 2023, but denied ratings in excess of these amounts. The Board also granted a 0% rating for Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand based on limitation of motion of the ring finger and little finger from June 1, 2018, through May 23, 2023, but denied ratings in excess of these amounts. The Board remanded an increased rating claim for lumbosacral spondylosis with lumbar strain.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of both hands to obtain an addendum medical opinion and updated VA treatment records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the right and left hands, as well as plantar fasciitis fibromatosis, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that another remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased rating, as well as his TDIU claim prior to November 9, 2012. The issues have been remanded for further development including scheduling a VA examination.
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