The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for appendectomy scar was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for abdominal scars due to laparoscopy and appendectomy, as well as her right-hand disability including carpal tunnel syndrome, were granted with a 10% initial rating. The appeal for an earlier effective date for these ratings is also denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a right foot disorder claimed as strained ligaments was denied.
The deciding factor: An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for appendectomy scar could not be granted due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability within one year prior to December 1, 2011.,The Veteran's abdominal scars and right-hand disability were rated based on their current status. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,There was no medical evidence linking the Veteran’s right foot disorder to her active duty service or showing it began during service.
- Claimed conditions
- service connection
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19182711
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
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