The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his scars did not meet criteria for higher ratings and that there was insufficient evidence to establish a secondary service connection for a heart disorder.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical records provided no evidence of more than three characteristics of disfigurement or significant functional impairment in the veteran's scars. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a secondary service connection for a heart disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Right cheek scar, Chin scar, Right shoulder scar, Residuals of a right forearm shell fragment wound (including a scar and ulnar nerve impairment), Left leg gunshot wound
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 17, 2006
- Citation
- 0604701
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 chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, fibromyalgia, dermatosis of the feet, irritable bowel syndrome, and traumatic brain injury. The appeal was denied for increased ratings for PTSD, tremors of the hands, functional digestive disorder, asthma, rhinitis, and chin scar.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder arthritis, left and right shoulder instability, and a right shoulder scar disabilities but granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for right shoulder instability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, but denied service connection for left leg arthritis, right leg arthritis, sleep apnea, a head scar, and a chin scar.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the right shoulder disorder and denied a compensable rating for the right shoulder scar. The neck disorder was remanded for further development.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.