The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right hand scar was denied. The Board found that the scar, which is less than 6 square inches in area and not painful or unstable, does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's right hand scar resulted in additional functional impairment beyond what was already considered under his service-connected arthritis of the right hand.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hand Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19106250
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,435 · Granted: 22% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19106250.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right ring finger disability and associated right hand scar are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent rating for his right hand scar, effective March 9, 2007. Separate ratings of 10 percent are assigned for peripheral neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome in both upper extremities and for peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for the Veteran's right hand disabilities as multiple unadjudicated appeal requests were already pending at the time of filing.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the right hand, left ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a right hand scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on these conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an increased rating of 10 percent for residuals of a right hand surgery scar. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran.
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