The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating claim for a scar on the left hand was denied. The Board found that the scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes. Service connection claims for a left shoulder disorder and a left hand disorder were remanded due to inadequate medical opinions based on inaccurate premises.
The deciding factor: The initial disability rating claim for the scar on the left hand was denied because it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 7800-7805. The service connection claims for the shoulder and hand disorders were remanded due to inadequate medical opinions based on inaccurate premises regarding the Veteran's work history.
- Claimed conditions
- Scar on left hand, Left shoulder disorder, Left hand disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2018
- Citation
- 18146417
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 18146417.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder are being remanded because they are inextricably intertwined with the implementation of his award for chronic osteomyelitis of the right lower extremity with a BKA.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's GERD, elbow disorders, shoulder disorders, low back disorder, hip conditions, and knee conditions are being remanded for further examination and opinion to address the etiology of these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is denied as there is no medical evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's right knee and left knee disorders are denied as there is no medical evidence linking them to service or secondary to a lower back disability.,The Veteran's left hand disorder remains pending, requiring additional medical opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine and left shoulder disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service.
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