The Veteran's right finger disability has been granted a 10 percent rating since November 1, 2011. The appeal for higher initial ratings and an earlier effective date is remanded due to the need for further evaluation of her right ankle sprain.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not provide sufficient information regarding the Veteran's right ankle sprain during a recent examination, leading to a recommendation for further review.
- Claimed conditions
- Right phalanx fracture, also claimed as right hand, third digit nail bed (right finger disability), Right ankle sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 22, 2022
- Citation
- 22041922
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 22041922.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's right ankle sprain with pain and limitations in mobility, finding that his symptoms are functionally equivalent to ankylosis. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating as there is no evidence of actual ankylosis or ankylosis equivalent.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the appellant's right ankle sprain is related to an injury sustained during service and grants the claim for service connection.
- Denied
The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on several issues, including right ankle sprain and lumbosacral strain, has been remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.
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