The Veteran's claim for an increase in the rating for his residual scars was denied. The effective date of service connection for a low back disability is March 19, 2004. The correct bilateral factor was applied effective April 16, 2003. A 40 percent rating has been granted for the Veteran's lumbar strain since March 19, 2004.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the appropriate effective date for service connection of a low back disability is March 19, 2004, as there was no pending claim prior to this date. The correct bilateral factor was applied effective April 16, 2003, based on the Veteran's reported disabilities in his right and left ankles and knees.
- Claimed conditions
- Residual scars, supraorbital rim (right forehead) and right side of neck, status post excision, epitheloid hemangioma/angiolymphoid hyperplasia and hair transplant, Low back disability, Migraine headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 18, 2018
- Citation
- 1803411
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 1803411.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, residuals of a right foot injury, sinusitis, shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability and arthritis, to include bilateral hips and knees, due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, prostate disability, and kidney cancer due to inadequate medical opinions and potential outstanding VA treatment records.
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