The Veteran's initial evaluation for left foot neuropathy is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,An initial compensable evaluation for non-painful residual scars of the left lower extremity, right lower leg and foot, and chest is denied. The Veteran already has a rating for painful scars on his right lower leg and foot and left foot.,The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for painful residual scars of the left lower extremity and right lower leg and foot is denied. There are no indications that he meets the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.,An evaluation in excess of 20 percent for posttraumatic arthritis of the right ankle is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of VA benefits.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as the Veteran's left foot neuropathy does not meet the criteria for severe or complete paralysis.,There are no indications that the non-painful scars warrant an increased rating, given their current classification and the fact that he is already compensated for painful ones.,The Veteran’s painful scars do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7804 as there are no indications of more than 5 or more scars with underlying tissue damage.,The right ankle arthritis meets the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent due to marked limited motion, but not ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Left foot neuropathy, Non-painful residual scars of the left lower extremity, right lower leg and foot, and chest, Painful residual scars of the left lower extremity and right lower leg and foot, Posttraumatic arthritis of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19195555
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,035 · Granted: 30% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19195555.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and scheduling examinations to determine the current severity of the disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and OSA are granted service connection, while gastrointestinal issues and foot neuropathies are denied. The case is remanded for further examination on bilateral foot neuropathy.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to non-weightbearing range of motion, functional limitation, and medication effects on the lumbar spine. The right and left foot neuropathy ratings and effective dates need to be addressed. An opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle disorder is related to active duty service or a 1968 sprain.
- Whole decision: Granted
Service connection is granted for urinary incontinence as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.,Service connection is granted for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to service-connected COPD with obstructive sleep apnea.,The Veteran's pleuritic chest pain claim remains pending and requires further examination and opinion.,The heart condition claim, including coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease, is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues. A new opinion is needed regarding whether the heart condition is directly related to service.,Gastrointestinal disorder (including gastric ulcers and gastroenteritis but excluding IBS and GERD) claim remains pending and requires further examination and opinion.
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