The Veteran's right thumb, index finger, long finger, and ring finger disabilities have been rated based on their arthritis. The right little finger disability is being remanded for further evaluation. Service connection has also been remanded for psychiatric conditions and wrist degenerative changes.
The deciding factor: The current ratings adequately address the symptoms of the service-connected disabilities without requiring extraschedular consideration, but additional development is needed to determine appropriate compensation for the right little finger and other issues.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Thumb Arthritis, Right Index Finger Arthritis, Right Long Finger Arthritis, Right Ring Finger Angulation with Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2022
- Citation
- 22029813
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 22029813.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's right thumb arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence of a gap greater than two inches between the thumb pad and fingers, with the thumb attempting to oppose the fingers. Therefore, an increased rating beyond 10 percent is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right hand thumb and finger disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TBI, headaches, GERD, and right thumb arthritis are granted. The lower extremity radiculopathy claims are remanded for further examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's right thumb and little finger disabilities are rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective March 22, 2013. The Veteran is granted a higher rating for the right thumb but denied for the right little finger.
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