Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected burn scars on the right upper extremity was denied. The Board found that the current evaluation of 0% is appropriate given the nature and extent of the scars. Service connection for a skin disability, including chloracne or any other unspecified skin condition, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and service connection for an organic brain disorder, to include encephalitis, to include as secondary to service-connected schizophrenia with PTSD, were also denied.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's burn scars did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria. The Board found no evidence of chloracne or other skin conditions related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam and no organic brain disorder during the pendency of his claim.

Claimed conditions
Burn Residuals (Scars)
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
January 13, 2011
Citation
1101597

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 1101597.

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.

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.