The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address the range of motion and functional impairment of his left hand, as well as a new opinion regarding his peripheral neuropathy.,The Veteran's disability ratings are denied due to lack of evidence supporting higher evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The prior examinations were inadequate and did not comply with the Board's remand directives. A new examination is needed for both range of motion and functional impairment, as well as a clarification regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Painful scars and residuals of left middle, ring, and little finger lacerations, Left upper extremity non-painful scarring status post lacerations, Residuals of left hand and left middle, ring, and little finger lacerations, Peripheral neuropathy of the left hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2023
- Citation
- 23056465
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 23056465.
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 granted service connection for a heart disability, MGUS, asymptomatic multiple myeloma, smoldering multiple myeloma, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands, forearms, lower legs, and feet based on toxic exposure risk activities during active service.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's left hand peripheral neuropathy and 30 percent for his right hand peripheral neuropathy, effective February 9, 2024.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD, peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents or as secondary to service-connected disability. The VA is required to obtain a records-based examination to address whether the Veteran's COPD was caused by his service-connected CAD or diabetes mellitus, and whether he had diabetic peripheral neuropathy during the claim period prior to his death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the Veteran's hands and feet is inadequate due to not addressing direct service connection based on presumed Agent Orange exposure. Another remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.