The Veteran's right thumb disability has resulted in near total loss of ability to use the hand, and he is currently receiving a 40 percent evaluation.,The Veteran’s right radial nerve neuritis is manifested by severe incomplete paralysis, and he is currently receiving a 50 percent evaluation.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows significant impairment in both conditions, warranting higher evaluations.
- Claimed conditions
- Postoperative fracture of the right thumb with carpometacarpal fusion and degenerative joint disease, Right radial nerve neuritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20037085
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 20037085.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's right thumb disability, which includes postoperative fracture with carpometacarpal fusion and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 30 percent for the entire period of appeal. The Board found that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran, resulting in a higher rating.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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