The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hand disability, including limitation of use. The examiner is requested to provide a new opinion addressing whether the Veteran's disabilities are related to his active duty service or if they were aggravated by painful scars.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous medical opinion was inadequate and did not address the specific issues on appeal regarding ankylosis, tendinopathy, and limited flexion of the hands and fingers due to scars.
- Claimed conditions
- ankylosis of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of right thumb, ankylosis of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of left thumb, tendinopathy of bilateral hands, limited flexion at joints of fingers and hands bilaterally
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 29, 2022
- Citation
- 22037278
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 22037278.
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
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- Whole decision: Denied
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- Whole decision: Denied
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- Whole decision: 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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