The Board has denied service connection for facial scarring, left toe injury (ingrown toenail), and right eye injury as the evidence does not support a finding of permanent worsening due to in-service exposure or an in-service injury.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pre-existing acne with associated scarring was not aggravated by any event, injury, or illness during service. The Board found his statements regarding tear gas exposure and facial burns to be implausible and inconsistent with the contemporaneous medical records.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Facial Scarring","diagnosis_notes":"Acne with associated facial scarring, which clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service"}, {"condition_name":"Left Toe Injury (Ingrown Toenail)","diagnosis_notes":"Currently-diagnosed left foot plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis not etiologically related to active service."}, {"condition_name":"Right Eye Injury","diagnosis_notes":"Currently-diagnosed cataracts and dry eye syndrome not etiologically related to active service."}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19127977
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 service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.