The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the issues of service connection for left finger disability (3 and 4) and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims will be remanded to obtain additional records, including VA treatment records from May 2018 to present, and to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the current medical opinions are insufficient to resolve the issues of service connection for left finger disability (3 and 4) and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's arguments regarding his in-service injuries need further clarification and consideration by a clinician who can provide a clear rationale based on all available evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- left finger disability (3 and 4), lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19168046
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 19168046.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is being remanded for the lumbar spine disability and right knee and calf disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability related to military service, and for left and right leg radiculopathy secondary to that lumbar disability.
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