The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left ring finger fracture and for a temporary total evaluation based on surgery and need for convalescence for residuals, fracture, left ring finger. The primary reasons were that the June 2009 surgery was not treatment for the service-connected left ring finger fracture and that the Veteran's hand disability is characterized by ankylosis of the left ring finger at the PIP joint.
The deciding factor: The VA opinions found that the June 2009 surgery was related to ulnar neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, not the service-connected left ring finger fracture. The Board assigned more weight to these opinions than to the Veteran's lay assertions.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ring finger fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21074092
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 21074092.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of left long finger amputation and left ring finger fracture is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the left leg below the knee amputation is also remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and TDIU are remanded.,An opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's left hand tingling, numbness, and loss of sensation were caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,Another medical opinion is required to assess whether the Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to unclear relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left ring finger fracture and his need for convalescence following surgery. The issues are inextricably intertwined as they both pertain to the same disability period.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left wrist and ring finger fractures are being remanded. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is also being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding stressors.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's burn scar and left ring finger disability are granted with specific ratings, while the right ankle tendonitis remains denied.
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