The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected right-hand scar and lumbar strain were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations of 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively, are appropriate given the severity of the conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any additional disabling effects or ankylosis in either condition, which precluded higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- laceration of the right fifth finger (right hand scar), DJD of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20029714
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 20029714.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including DJD of the lumbar spine, right shoulder, bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and peripheral neuropathy, combined, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education, skills, training, and work history. Effective December 7, 2022, he is granted TDIU.
- Denied
The Veteran's combined evaluation for his service-connected disabilities did not change after the February 2021 rating decision, so he is denied retroactive payment.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including PTSD, asthma, DJD of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and migraines) render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU based on this finding.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches as secondary to service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine, and entitlement to SMC at the housebound prior to July 18, 2014, and based on the need for aid and attendance. The remand is due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's headaches and his service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine.
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