The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a left thumb disability is granted. The Board finds that an additional VA examination is necessary due to the recently received evidence showing left thumb disability. The claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral bunion disability are also remanded as there is insufficient competent medical evidence to adjudicate these claims.
The deciding factor: The newly received evidence shows a current diagnosis of left thumb hyperextension and polyarthralgia, which raises the possibility that these conditions may be related to service. The Veteran's reports of symptoms since service support this finding. For the acquired psychiatric disorder claim, there is insufficient competent medical evidence to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service. For the bilateral bunion disability claim, the in-service complaints and current diagnosis are not fully addressed by the VA examiner.
- Claimed conditions
- left thumb hyperextension, polyarthralgia, anxiety disorder, bilateral bunions
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20004085
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for depression, PTSD, and an anxiety disorder due to the lack of a current diagnosis.
- Partly granted
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for anxiety disorder and denied service connection for hearing loss. The claims for service connection for GERD, right ankle limitations, and sinusitis were remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board dismissed the appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) and remanded several issues related to increased ratings for various disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date for the 70 percent evaluation of anxiety disorder starting from January 16, 2022.
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