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, left little finger ankylosis at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint status post fusion (left fifth finger disability), right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain (right ankle disability), right knee degenerative arthritis status post right knee replacement with residual strain (right knee disability), right knee scars, right little finger fracture (right fifth finger disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25023684
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,506 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A25023684.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including effective date determinations and service connection determinations. The Veteran's service records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital are requested to be obtained.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right knee scars have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed as untimely.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected left and right knee conditions, as well as his service-connected left and right knee scars. The AOJ will need to correct duty-to-assist errors by obtaining new VA examinations.
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