The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and extensions of temporary total rating and SMC benefits were denied as his right shoulder scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating or extension beyond January 1, 2012.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the Veteran's scars were well-healed without pain, instability, or functional impairment, thus not meeting the criteria for any higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2015
- Citation
- 1514918
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 1514918.
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 has remanded the cases for further development due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding SSA disability benefits records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an increased disability rating for anterior neck scar, right shoulder scar, and painful right shoulder and anterior neck scars due to insufficient evidence or incomplete evaluation.,The appellant's service-connected painful right shoulder scar and anterior neck scar are currently rated as 10 percent each. The Board is directed to consider additional evidence and provide a new determination on these issues.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an increased disability evaluation of 50 percent for the right shoulder disability and denied a compensable initial disability evaluation for the right shoulder scar.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to errors in the rating and service connection determinations for his hearing loss disabilities, shoulder pain, and arthritis. The issues of right ear hearing loss disability, bilateral shoulder pain (right), and residual of pain status-post right rotator cuff tear repair are being addressed.
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