The Veteran's right hand scars are currently evaluated as noncompensable due to the lack of an area or areas meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's right foot fracture residuals have been granted a 20 percent rating, subject to further review and remand if necessary.,Bilateral hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable rating based on current evidence.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not show that the superficial scars affect an area or areas of 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or greater, and there is no related functional impairment.,The May 2021 VA examination indicated a moderate to severe severity during flare-ups, warranting a 20 percent rating under DC 5284 for moderately severe foot injury.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on current evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Scars to the right hand, Right foot fracture residuals, Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 31, 2022
- Citation
- 22031838
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 22031838.
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 Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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