The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left wrist and thumb scars was remanded. The Board found that the scars, which were linear and stable prior to November 2016, resulted in two painful scars measuring less than 39 square centimeters from November 18, 2016 onwards, warranting a 10% rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's scars did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under other diagnostic codes and were found to be stable with no evidence of pain or instability prior to November 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Residual scars (left trigger thumb surgery and left wrist disability), Degenerative joint disease in left wrist, Migraine headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19162631
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 19162631.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and migraine headaches, but remanded the claims for a low back disability and related radiculopathies.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for service connection for a facial injury, head injury, and left thumb injury as there was no evidence of current disability or functional impairment. The claims for GERD, squamous mucosa, migraine headaches, and hypertension were remanded for further development.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for failure to timely file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with the July 2024 rating decision.
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