The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residual scar and painful scar have been denied as the scars do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.
The deciding factor: The scars did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on their characteristics, such as length, width, contour, adherence to underlying tissue, pigmentation, texture, or loss of soft tissue. The scars were also not unstable or painful enough to warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Residual scar, Painful scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19123827
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,272 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19123827.
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 Veteran's nerve damage and painful scar are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of these conditions, specifically whether they resulted from improper care during his carpal tunnel release surgery.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for head/neck squamous cell carcinoma and painful scar was improper, and the appeal is granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for a painful scar, allergic rhinitis, and tinnitus. The claim for right thigh limitation of flexion was remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) was denied as the evidence did not show that he required personal health-care services provided on a daily basis in his home by a person who is licensed to provide such services or under the regular supervision of a licensed health-care professional.
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