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.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s surgical scars did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 7801 or 7802 due to their small size (less than 39 square centimeters). However, they were found to be painful and thus qualify for a separate rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.
- Claimed conditions
- surgical scars, scar, right hand, scar, right arm, scar, buttocks, scar, abdomen
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20006287
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, considering that his service-connected orthopedic disabilities and major depressive disorder contributed substantially to his death.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for initial increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, bilateral lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, and a scar.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matters of an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoid and service connection for a scar, to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoid disability due to inadequate VA examination and missing medical records.
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