The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected residuals of stab wounds of the abdomen and chest, finding that the scars were well healed with no loss of underlying tissue and not tender to palpation. The examiner noted a defect in cutaneous sensation due to scar tissue encasing nerves.
The deciding factor: The VA examination found the scars to be well-healed without pain or loss of function, including nerve damage.
- Claimed conditions
- Stab wounds of the abdomen, Stab wounds of the chest
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 23, 2006
- Citation
- 0605243
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
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