The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand injury, finding that new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service injury.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's consistent contentions of an in-service injury were credible, combined with medical opinions linking the current left hand disability to the in-service injury, met the criteria for service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Hand Injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19173723
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 19173723.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 reopened the previously denied claims for PTSD, mechanical low back pain, arthritis, and left hand injury. However, further development is needed as new VA examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, wrist, hand, and head trauma with scar disabilities are not related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's left-hand injury is characterized by proximal interphalangeal joint ankylosis in extension, with no evidence of arthritis. The peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is characterized as moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher rating for his left hand injury or peripheral neuropathy.
- Denied
The veteran's residuals of a left hand injury are manifested by limitation of motion of the ring and little fingers, not worse than that comparable to favorable ankylosis. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.