The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a chest scar and PTSD with alcohol abuse were denied by the Board. The current 10% rating for the chest scar is maintained, while the 50% rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse remains unchanged.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for an increase in either condition as evaluated under the applicable diagnostic codes and General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- chest laceration residual scar, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with alcohol abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2016
- Citation
- 1605257
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 1605257.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD with alcohol abuse, as the Veteran's psychiatric disorder did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew their appeal for higher ratings for PTSD with alcohol abuse, right shoulder disability, and right wrist disability. The Board dismissed the appeal.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings in any of his conditions, including PTSD with alcohol abuse.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining missing VA medical records and scheduling additional examinations. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the remaining claims.
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