The veteran's service-connected well-healed lower mid-line abdominal scars with fistula, residual of colostomy, were not rated compensably prior to May 16, 1997 and are currently rated as 10 percent disabling from that date.
The deciding factor: Medical records prior to May 16, 1997 did not document any drainage or tenderness at the scar site. The first documented evidence of a draining fistula was in May 1997, which is when the RO increased the rating to 10 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Well-healed lower mid-line abdominal scars with fistula, residual of colostomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 26, 2007
- Citation
- 0702473
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 0702473.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Denied
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- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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