The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for burn scars, right upper extremity, finding that the medical evidence did not show that the size of the veteran's burn scars exceeded one-half square foot or produced limitation of motion. The claim for service connection for scars on back of head and posterior neck is being remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports showed no significant tissue loss except for possible loss of the right upper extremity, but did not show that the size of the veteran's burn scars exceeded one-half square foot or produced limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Burn Scars, Right Upper Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 2, 2006
- Citation
- 0616046
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0616046.
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 obstructive sleep apnea and status post left shoulder surgeries, but denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, sciatic pain in the right leg, sciatic pain in the left leg, right big toe pain, and a right upper extremity disability.
- Denied
The veteran's burn scars of the left and right legs are currently rated at 20 percent each, but do not meet or more closely approximate the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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.