The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for scars of the head, face, or neck was denied as there is no evidence showing visible or palpable tissue loss and gross distortion or asymmetry of three or more features or paired sets of features.,Service connection for tongue swelling and muscle swelling of the face were both denied as there is no current disability manifested by these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's scars do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7800, as they have not resulted in visible or palpable tissue loss and gross distortion or asymmetry of three or more features or paired sets of features.,There is no current evidence of tongue swelling or muscle swelling of the face to warrant service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Scars of the head, face, or neck, Tongue swelling, Muscle swelling of the face
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2015
- Citation
- 1502592
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 1502592.
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: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's appeals for restoration of a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain, and for compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, eczema, left and right lower extremity nerve disabilities, and scars of the head, face, or neck.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's scar of the neck has been granted a disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional treatment records.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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