The Board remands the claims for initial compensable ratings of degenerative arthritis in the right fingers due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
The deciding factor: Remand is necessary due to missing private treatment records and an inadequate VA examination opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the right thumb, status post right hand fracture, Degenerative arthritis of the right index finger, status post right hand fracture, Degenerative arthritis of the right long finger, status post right hand fracture, Degenerative arthritis of the right ring finger, status post right hand fracture, Degenerative arthritis of the right little finger, status post right hand fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 24, 2025
- Citation
- A25054222
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 an initial 20 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb, effective from December 16, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb, effective December 16, 2024.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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