The Veteran's scalp scars are rated at 30% based on two characteristics of disfigurement, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7800.,The Veteran’s painful and unstable scars are currently rated at 30%, as they have five or more painful scars. They do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7804.,Non-linear scars of the chest, back, shoulders, and bilateral thighs due to acne, pseudofolliculitis, and keloids are currently rated at 0%, as they do not cover an area or areas of 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or greater.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's scalp scars only have two characteristics of disfigurement, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7800.,None of the Veteran’s painful and unstable scars are both painful and unstable, thus preventing them from meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7804.,The non-linear scars do not cover an area or areas of 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or greater, therefore they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802.
- Claimed conditions
- Acne, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae, Keloids
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19148156
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hypothyroidism and denied the claims for a compensable rating for acne, service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis with hammer toes, and service connection for pelvic organ prolapse.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his ability to independently ambulate with the use of braces.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder of generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as secondary to the service-connected left ankle disability. Service connection was also granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae, and a 20 percent rating was assigned for left ankle achilles tendonitis from October 23, 2023.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for asthma, a compensable rating for acne, and service connection for tinnitus. The left knee disability claim was remanded for further development.
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.