The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hand arthritis conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were previously denied, and the most recent grant of service connection was based on a reopened claim filed in February 2009. The Board found that no earlier effective date is warranted as there was no new evidence received prior to the filing of the reopening request.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthritis residuals of the right index finger (major), Traumatic arthritis residuals of the right middle finger (major), Traumatic arthritis residuals of the right ring finger (major), Traumatic arthritis residuals of the right little finger (major), Traumatic arthritis residuals of the right thumb (major), Traumatic arthritis residuals of the left index finger (minor), Traumatic arthritis residuals of the left little finger (minor), Traumatic arthritis residuals of the left middle finger (minor), Traumatic arthritis residuals of the left ring finger (minor), Traumatic arthritis residuals of the left thumb (minor)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20030528
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 20030528.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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