Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Remanded (sent back)

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for fracture laceration of the left ring finger and hearing loss in both ears remains pending. The Board has found that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for migraine headaches and diabetes mellitus (claimed as due to herbicide exposure) are remanded, as the previous examination did not consider relevant medical history.

The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's fracture laceration of the left ring finger or hearing loss in both ears meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.,The previous VA examination did not adequately address the Veteran’s service connection claims, specifically regarding his concussion from onboard duty and exposure to herbicides.

Claimed conditions
Fracture laceration of the left ring finger, Hearing loss in both ears, Migraine headaches, Diabetes mellitus (claimed as due to herbicide exposure)
How they argued it
Not specified
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
June 10, 2019
Citation
19144640

Veterans Law Judge

TANYA SMITH

Decisions by this judge: 1,828 · Granted: 32% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19144640.

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.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

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.