The Veteran's claims for service connection for facial scarring and an increased rating for his psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection, and concluded that the current disability was not related to his only service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's facial scarring was unrelated to his service-connected psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction and instead resulted from prior acne lesions. The Board also found no evidence of occupational or social impairment warranting a higher rating for the gastrointestinal reaction.
- Claimed conditions
- Facial scarring, Psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 19, 2009
- Citation
- 0939452
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 0939452.
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 claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, OSA, GERD, facial scarring, urinary frequency, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to a need for initial VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for facial scarring and a compensable rating for vertigo, as the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for facial scarring and remanded the claims for a left knee condition and a left foot condition.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal seeking service connection for PTSD, TBI, and facial scarring was dismissed due to the Veteran's failure to file a timely notice of disagreement within one year of the December 2013 rating decision.
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