The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left thumb disorder, finding that there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service and no competent medical opinion linking his current condition to service.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service and the VA examiner found no nexus between the in-service injury and the Veteran's current left thumb arthritis and foreign body object.
- Claimed conditions
- left thumb arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20012658
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 20012658.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left thumb arthritis and right thumb arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for several left-sided joint conditions and a right shoulder disability, while denying service connection for a skeletal system disorder other than degenerative arthritis and a right knee disability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and various other conditions as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active duty.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the case for further development, including an adequate VA examination and a determination of whether separate ratings or service connection are warranted for paresthesias and/or muscle atrophy as distinct disabilities of the Veteran's service-connected left wrist or left-hand disabilities.
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