The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of right hand trauma, finding that his current disability is related to his military service. The decision also notes conflicting medical opinions but finds sufficient evidence to support a diagnosis and relationship between the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current condition.
The deciding factor: The Board found reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, who provided credible lay statements about the onset and symptoms of his right hand disability since service. The VA examinations supported this finding by noting no additional contributing factors to the disability such as flare-ups or pain during use.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of right hand trauma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20021105
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 20021105.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various shoulder and hand conditions, as well as a low back disorder due to the Veteran's death.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, and the Board also remanded for further examination of his low back, right hand, and right knee disabilities. Service connection was not granted for PTSD.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for residuals of right hand trauma, residuals of a fracture of the right thumb, residuals of an injury to the right 5th and 6th ribs, bursitis of the left elbow, or bronchitis. However, the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for residuals of a fracture of the right thumb due to in-service injury.
- Granted
The Board granted an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of right hand trauma to 70 percent and awarded special monthly compensation based on loss of use of one hand, both effective July 19, 1990. Attorney fees are eligible from past-due benefits.
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