The Veteran's appeal of a 10% rating for left index finger disability since July 12, 2016 is dismissed because the initial decision was not an 'initial decision' under the AMA and proper procedures were not followed.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the December 2024 rating decision was merely a readjudication after remand development had been completed, making it not an 'initial decision' for purposes of the AMA.
- Claimed conditions
- left index finger disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2026
- Citation
- A26039781
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 A26039781.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for chronic dry eye, chronic fatigue syndrome, constipation, IBS, left little finger disability, left index finger disability, left thumb disability, left ring finger disability, left long finger disability, right ring finger disability, right index finger disability, right long finger disability, and right thumb disability due to an error in the initial decision. The Veteran was not provided with notice of her right to a hearing on these issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left eye and left index finger disabilities due to incomplete development of records, including VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's left eye disability may be related to his active service exposure through all applicable military deployments, as well as his obesity which could have contributed to its onset or progression.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence, including records from Dr. M.H., when the claims are readjudicated.
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