The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for scalp scars was denied. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disability and heart condition, to include trivial mitral regurgitation (MR), as well as an increased rating for lumbar strain.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability and heart condition are being remanded due to inadequate development.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7800 for scalp scars, and service connection was remanded for further examination and consideration of all pertinent issues.
- Claimed conditions
- Scalp scars, Left shoulder disability, Heart condition (trivial mitral regurgitation), Lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19191410
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,249 · Granted: 37% (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 19191410.
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 has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral knee disabilities and his right and left knee scars have been granted. He is now rated at a combined 60% disability rating from June 1, 2018 based on bilateral factors for his bilateral knee disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and other disabilities have been granted, including a TDIU based on his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.
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