The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the distal end of the right second metacarpal are rated as noncompensably disabling prior to May 15, 2017, and 10 percent disabling thereafter.,For his right ear hearing loss, the current evaluation is noncompensable. The Veteran contends that a compensable rating is warranted due to more severe symptoms than represented by the current evaluation.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated as noncompensably disabling prior to March 16, 2005; 10 percent disabling from March 16, 2005, to May 14, 2017; and 20 percent disabling beginning May 15, 2017.,The Veteran's hiatal hernia is rated as 60 percent disabling.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.,Service connection for an eye disability secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded.,Service connection for a neurological disability secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded.,Service connection for TDIU resulting from service-connected disability is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the distal end of the right second metacarpal are rated as noncompensably disabling prior to May 15, 2017, and 10 percent disabling thereafter. The current rating is based on pain and a gap between the index finger and the proximal transverse crease of the palm.,For his right ear hearing loss, the Veteran's disability level does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it results in noncompensable ratings under Table VI or VIa due to the combination of levels at 1000 Hz (50 dB) and 2000 Hz (70 dB).,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated based on their severity, with a compensable rating for persistent bleeding and reducible external hemorrhoids. The current evaluation is noncompensably disabling prior to March 16, 2005; 10 percent disabling from March 16, 2005, to May 14, 2017; and 20 percent disabling beginning May 15, 2017.,The Veteran's hiatal hernia is rated as 60 percent disabling based on the severity of his symptoms including dysphagia, regurgitation, substernal pain, epigastric pain, vomiting, and hematemesis. The current evaluation meets the criteria for a 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded as there are no clear and unmistakable errors in prior decisions or other evidence of entitlement to service connection not previously considered.,Service connection for an eye disability secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the eye disability and diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for a neurological disability secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded as there are no clear and unmistakable errors in prior decisions or other evidence of entitlement to service connection not previously considered.,Service connection for TDIU resulting from service-connected disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employability.
- Claimed conditions
- Fracture of the distal end of the right second metacarpal, Right ear hearing loss, Hemorrhoids, Hiatal hernia
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18160491
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 18160491.
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 Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of his hemorrhoids, so the case is dismissed.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate audiometric examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss and the severity of his hearing loss.
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