The Veteran's claim for SMC due to loss of use of her right arm was granted. However, the claim for a higher disability rating for her service-connected right shoulder scars was denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that no effective function remains in the Veteran’s right hand, granting SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (k) for loss of use of the arm. The claim for a higher disability rating for her service-connected right shoulder scars was denied as there were not three or four painful and unstable scars.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Hand Loss, Right Shoulder Scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20031671
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 20031671.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The VA denied an initial compensable disability rating for the appellant's right shoulder scars, as the evidence did not show that the area of the scars met or more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7802.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder scars were granted service connection effective November 4, 2013. However, the claim for a compensable rating was denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability and associated scars were granted effective May 31, 2017. However, the initial rating for OSA with asthma remains denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's request for a higher rating for her service-connected right shoulder disability and an initial noncompensable rating for her service-connected right shoulder scars was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or separate compensable ratings.
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