The Board denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's left elbow injury, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on functional loss or instability of the scar. The current 10% rating remains in effect.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no more than one painful and non-unstable scar, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.
- Claimed conditions
- left elbow injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19187207
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and elbow injuries due to a lack of evidence linking them to the Veteran's military service, and remanded the claim for lumbar spine injury for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's left elbow injury with limited flexion and supination is rated at 20% from December 18, 2019.,A separate 20% rating for the left elbow injury with limited supination/pronation has also been granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left elbow injury and scar of the left forearm.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of a VA examination for the left elbow injury. The Veteran's service connection claims for back and left elbow injuries are pending.
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