The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for her service-connected herpes zoster has been denied as she is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,Her entitlement to a higher rating for her right knee disability remains pending, and further examination is required to assess functional loss due to pain, weakness, fatigue, etc.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's herpes zoster has been rated based on its manifestations under Diagnostic Code 7806 of the skin disorders schedule. The current rating reflects her condition as affecting less than five percent of her total body area and she does not have systemic therapy required over the past 12 months, thus preventing a higher rating.,The right knee disability is rated based on limitation of flexion under Diagnostic Code 5260. However, the VA examination reports do not provide sufficient information regarding functional loss due to pain during flare-ups or repetitive use. Therefore, another examination is needed to assess these factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Herpes Zoster
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19182215
Veterans Law Judge
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 19182215.
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 decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for aggravation of herpes zoster is being reviewed, with an emphasis on determining if VA carelessness or negligence caused any additional disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further examination is required to determine if the Veteran's herpes zoster had its onset in service.
- Granted
The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for PTSD, allergic rhinitis, and herpes zoster was withdrawn. Service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment.
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