The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied. The Board found that the July 30, 2010 claim was not a new and material application as there was no prior formal or informal application to reopen the previously denied claims of ankylosis of the left 5th finger and depressive disorder between February 2009 and July 30, 2010. The Board also found that a VA examination for the left 5th finger disability is needed due to the Veteran's assertions of worsening symptoms.
The deciding factor: The claims were not considered new and material as there was no prior formal or informal application to reopen the previously denied claims between February 2009 and July 30, 2010. The Board also found that a VA examination for the left 5th finger disability is needed due to the Veteran's assertions of worsening symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- ankylosis of the left 5th finger, depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 23, 2022
- Citation
- 22047805
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 22047805.
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.
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- Remanded (sent back)
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- Granted
The Veteran was granted service connection for migraine headaches effective August 10, 2022.,The Veteran was granted service connection for depressive disorder effective April 11, 2024.
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