The Board denied service connection for a left arm and hand disorder, but granted a 70 percent rating for other specified depressive disorder with insomnia and alcohol use disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's left arm and hand disorders were related to in-service injuries during ACDUTRA. However, the competing lay and medical evidence was in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's depressive disorder was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Claimed conditions
- left arm disorder, left hand disorder, other specified depressive disorder with insomnia and alcohol use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- May 19, 2025
- Citation
- 25006797
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 715 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 25006797.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for an increased disability evaluation for a right index finger scar and service connection for a left hand disorder due to withdrawal of these appeals by the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to notify the Veteran of his right to a pre-decisional hearing. The AOJ is instructed to provide the Veteran with notice concerning his right to a hearing and then re-adjudicate the claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remand the case for further action.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to readjudicate his previously denied claim for service connection for a left hand disorder, and remanded the matter for further development.
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