The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected right fifth metacarpal fracture is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA and private treatment records. The case may also be referred for extraschedular consideration based on the impact of the condition on employment.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's testimony regarding his daily aches and pains, inability to fully open his hand, and dropping tools due to diminished grip strength indicates an interference with employment and potential for an exceptional disability picture.
- Claimed conditions
- right fifth metacarpal fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2023
- Citation
- 23021460
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 23021460.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for a new VA examination to determine the current level of severity of the Veteran's right fifth metacarpal fracture, as the previous examination might not adequately describe the Veteran's current disability picture.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected urethral stricture with urinary dysfunction and right fifth metacarpal fracture require additional VA examinations to assess their current severity, as well as obtaining any outstanding private treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU was granted with an effective date of January 8, 2008. The decision found that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU as early as January 8, 2008.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and other issues are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
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