The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's left fifth finger and right knee scars, as well as remanded claims for increased ratings for his right knee degenerative arthritis status post right knee replacement with residual strain, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left little finger ankylosis at the proximal interphalangeal joint status post fusion, and right little finger fracture.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a compensable rating for the scars due to their size and lack of associated symptoms such as pain or instability. For the increased ratings claims, additional examination was needed to accurately assess the severity of the disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- left fifth finger scar residuals, right knee scars, right knee degenerative arthritis status post right knee replacement with residual strain (right knee disability), right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain (right ankle disability), left little finger ankylosis at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint status post fusion (left fifth finger disability), right little finger fracture (right fifth finger disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25023684
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and restored the 20 percent rating for right ankle disability. The claim for an increased initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right ankle disability was denied, and the claim for service connection for hypertension was remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for right knee retropatellar pain syndrome from August 23, 2010, and denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a right ankle disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for right knee scars as the area of the scars does not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating under DC 7802, and there is no evidence that the scars are unstable or painful.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, remanding some issues for further development.
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