The veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for his service-connected laceration scar of the right hand. The RO has not provided an adequate examination or considered whether separate ratings should be assigned for the scar and any associated neurologic impairment.
The deciding factor: The VA examination was inadequate, failing to consider both the old and new criteria for scars as well as potential separate ratings for the scar itself and any associated neurologic impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- laceration scar of the dorsal right hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2005
- Citation
- 0519611
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 0519611.
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.
- Denied
The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of laceration of the dorsum of the right hand, finding that the condition is manifested by well-healed scar with slight limitation of motion of the individual finger joints.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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