The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his service-connected right-hand conditions, but the Board finds that the appropriate effective dates are January 7, 2012.,The Veteran also sought an earlier effective date for a separate condition (fracture of fifth metacarpal of the right hand, status post fusion of fourth and fifth carpometacarpal joints), but the Board found no error in the assignment of this effective date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim was received on January 7, 2012. The regulations provide that the earliest available date for the award of service connection is the date of receipt of the claim.,The Veteran did not file a notice of disagreement or otherwise present evidence material to the issue of an earlier effective date within one year of the May 2012 decision, making the decision final.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of excision of dorsal ulnar nerve neuroma of the right hand, fracture of fifth metacarpal of the right hand, status post fusion of fourth and fifth carpometacarpal joints
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2021
- Citation
- A21017264
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 A21017264.
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).
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