The Board denied service connection for a right fifth finger disorder and keratoconus (claimed as visual impairment) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.,VA granted service connection for left patello-femoral pain syndrome (PFPS) effective May 10, 2016, but denied an earlier effective date.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the appellant's right fifth finger disorder or keratoconus were related to his active service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Fifth Finger Disorder, Keratoconus (claimed as impaired vision)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 30, 2019
- Citation
- 19159132
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 19159132.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's right fifth finger disorder did not increase in severity during service and is not related to any incident of his active military service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and right fifth finger disorder are all rated as noncompensable. The veteran is granted a compensable rating for his right hand fifth digit injury.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
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