The Veteran's service-connected laceration of the lower lip is not shown to have any characteristic of disfigurement, and thus a compensable evaluation is denied.,Issues related to service connection for left toe injury, TMJ syndrome, upper lip scar, loss of teeth, PTSD, and headaches due to TBI are remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's laceration of the lower lip does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7800 as there is no evidence of one characteristic of disfigurement.,Issues related to service connection and effective dates are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.
- Claimed conditions
- laceration lower lip, left toe injury, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), loss of teeth for other than periodontal disease or other routine dental maladies, PTSD, headaches due to traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19101064
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 remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.