The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's laparotomy scar, finding that it is only minimally symptomatic and does not meet the criteria for any compensable evaluation under the applicable VA rating schedule.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show poorly nourished scars with ulceration or tenderness/pain on examination, which are required for a compensable rating under the current VA rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- laparotomy scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2003
- Citation
- 0307786
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,177 · Granted: 24% (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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0307786.
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: Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under section 1318 were also not met.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's father, the appellant, is seeking a higher initial level of special monthly compensation based on the need for a higher level of care under 38 U.S.C.A. Section 1114(r)(2). The case has been remanded due to incomplete records and lack of information regarding the supervision provided by the Veteran's parents.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his depression and other service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for her laparotomy scar, which is painful and tender on examination.
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