The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected scar of the scalp, finding that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
The deciding factor: The current VA examinations showed the scar to be asymptomatic and minimally disfiguring, with no associated functional impairment or underlying tissue loss. The preponderance of evidence did not satisfy the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or revised rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- scar of the scalp
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2004
- Citation
- 0414974
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 541 · Granted: 32% (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 0414974.
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 remands the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding SSA disability benefit records.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities was granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the left calf are rated at 20 percent effective March 10, 2010. The Board also remanded several issues related to shell fragment wounds for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is necessary as to the remaining claims for service connection for hearing loss and headaches, which are remanded. The Veteran's scar of the scalp and substance abuse disorder have been denied.
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