The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for DJD of the left hand. The Veteran's right fourth metacarpal disability and tinnitus have been granted, but his claim for DJD of the left hand is being reviewed due to insufficient evidence.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate as it did not adequately address the Veteran's statement regarding overuse of the left hand due to his service-connected right fourth metacarpal disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right fourth metacarpal disability status post ORIF, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the left hand
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 1, 2021
- Citation
- A21017600
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 A21017600.
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 has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the left hand is not caused by or related to his in-service injury, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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