The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right thumb arthritis is related to his service. The Veteran needs an examination to determine if his current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service injuries.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded because there is insufficient evidence on record to establish a connection between the Veteran's current right thumb arthritis and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- right thumb arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20003598
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition and right thumb arthritis were denied. The claims for GERD, migraines, and dermatitis of the bilateral elbows were remanded for further evaluation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a headache disability and denied increased ratings for right thumb arthritis, right index finger metacarpophalangeal joint arthritis, as well as remanding other issues.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal regarding an increased evaluation for post traumatic neuropathy of the right wrist and hand. The Veteran's right thumb arthritis was granted a 10 percent evaluation, but no higher, for periods prior to February 11, 2009 and from April 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010. For all other periods on appeal, the Veteran's right thumb arthritis is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.
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