The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested as a scar behind the right ear. However, he is entitled to service connection for burn scars of the back, shoulders, and hips due to an in-service injury incurred during ACDUTRA.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion was based on the absence of evidence of such an injury in the Veteran's service treatment records, but the Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding his burn injury were credible given the circumstances of his service as a cook and the development of scars over time.
- Claimed conditions
- status post laminectomy and discectomy of the lumbar spine (low back condition), scar behind the right ear, burn scars to the back, shoulders, and hips
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2016
- Citation
- 1637672
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 1637672.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
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