The Board has restored a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's residual scars, bilateral inguinal hernia repair effective January 15, 2019. The reduction was improper as there had been no actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
The deciding factor: The Board found that despite the VA examiners' findings of 'no change' in the scar, they both indicated it was not painful. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board determined there had been no actual improvement in his condition.
- Claimed conditions
- residual scars, bilateral inguinal hernia repair
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 25, 2019
- Citation
- A19002295
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.
- Partly granted
The veteran was granted a 40% disability rating for five painful scars, with one unstable scar. Other claims were denied.
- Partly granted
The veteran is granted a 10% disability rating for scars but the claim for service connection of deviated nasal fracture is remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for residuals of a right hand injury was granted, and he is now receiving a 10% rating for dysesthesia and separate 10% ratings for two painful scars on his right hand.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.
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