The Veteran's gunshot wound scars were granted an increased rating of 30 percent, but no higher, prior to December 3, 2019.,An increased rating in excess of 30 percent from December 3, 2019 forward for the Veteran's gunshot wounds scars was denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had five or more painful but not unstable scars during the period prior to December 3, 2019, which warranted a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7804. The preponderance of evidence did not support both instability and pain for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Gunshot Wound Scars, Right Thumb Fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21061323
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,240 · Granted: 28% (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 21061323.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's right thumb and hand conditions were denied initial compensable ratings.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was dismissed as it has been granted in full.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and his case was remanded. The issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20% since January 29, 2015, for radial nerve incomplete paralysis of the right thumb are still pending.
- Denied
The Veteran's increased evaluations for headaches and right thumb fracture were denied by the Board.,For headaches, the Veteran was found to have migraines with characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month, warranting a 30% rating under DC 8100.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his right thumb disability. The appeal for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids remains denied.
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