Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Whole decision: Denied

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for status post staph infection of left shoulder surgery from January 26, 2004 to March 1, 2004 was denied. The Board found that the disability at issue prior to March 2, 2004 did not include any orthopedic impairment and only encompassed a tender or painful scar.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected condition prior to March 2, 2004 was limited to a tender or painful scar from the surgery on January 26, 2004. The Board found that any orthopedic impairment did not affect his disability rating at this time.

Claimed conditions
Left shoulder incisional scarring with history of staph infection
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
March 1, 2010
Citation
1007575

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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1007575.

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.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

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.