The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected lacerated right fifth flexor tendon with surgical repair.
The deciding factor: The initial noncompensable rating was assigned based on an in-service surgical repair, but the Veteran asserts that at least a 20 percent rating is warranted due to pain and functional impairment. The DCs were changed to accurately reflect current symptoms, but the reason for this change is not clear.
- Claimed conditions
- lacerated right fifth flexor tendon with surgical repair
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 4, 2021
- Citation
- A21016298
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 A21016298.
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.
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- Denied
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- Denied
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- 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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