The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to November 30, 2016 for service connection and a higher initial evaluation for his right hand disability were denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date was November 30, 2016.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show any intent by the Veteran prior to November 30, 2016 to file a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder or for his right hand disability before that date.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Other specified depressive and anxiety disorders"}, {"condition_name":"Unfavorable ankylosis of the fourth and fifth fingers of the right hand"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19165179
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 19165179.
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
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