The claims for a compensable rating for residuals of a right fifth (little) finger injury and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The VA examination evidence is inadequate as the January 2021 VA examiner did not have access to all relevant medical treatment records when providing an opinion on the severity and nature of the Veteran's right little finger disability, necessitating a remand for an addendum opinion or new examination. Additionally, there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to develop the claim regarding unemployability.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of a right fifth (little) finger injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2025
- Citation
- A25038886
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
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