The Board granted a higher initial 40 percent rating for the Veteran's surgical scars on his right leg, finding that they are painful and unstable.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there were five painful and unstable scars, warranting a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7804, with an additional 10 percent added due to the Veteran's credible lay testimony of pain and instability.
- Claimed conditions
- surgical scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20002013
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 Board granted a 40 percent rating for the ventral hernia, a separate 30 percent rating for painful or unstable surgical scars, and a TDIU effective March 13, 2022. The claims for increased ratings for diverticulitis and surgical scars under Diagnostic Code 7801 were denied.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. Claims for higher ratings for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, surgical scars, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for alcohol use disorder and an anxiety disorder, granted service connection for a deviated septum, and granted ratings of 80 percent but no higher for narcolepsy and 20 percent but no higher for dry eye syndrome with arcus senillis.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for his surgical scars of the left arm, left hand, back, and chest was granted. However, service connection for tender and painful scar on the right arm, scar on the right hand, scar on the buttocks, and scar on the abdomen were denied.,The Veteran's request for separate compensation for multiple painful scars on his left upper extremity, chest, and back (four in total) was granted. However, service connection for a scar on the right hand, right arm, abdomen, and buttocks remained denied.
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