The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and initial compensable disability rating for arthritis of the left fifth finger to include a mallet deformity were denied. The appeal was remanded due to unclear information regarding the causes of the Veteran's neurological symptoms.
The deciding factor: There is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran currently has a neuroma involving his left fifth finger or if it is chronic in nature, and there are separate origins for the cervical radiculopathy and the left finger pathology. Further identification of these conditions is needed before rating can be accurately determined.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and/or depression), Arthritis of the left fifth finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- February 13, 2024
- Citation
- 24007471
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 24007471.
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- Remanded (sent back)
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- Denied
The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, peptic ulcer disease, radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities, degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine.
- Denied
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- Denied
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