The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his neck scar prior to July 13, 2017 is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on one characteristic of disfigurement. From July 13, 2017, the claim is also denied because the scar does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7800.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's neck scar did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired set of features, or; four or five characteristics of disfigurement as required by Diagnostic Code 7800.
- Claimed conditions
- Scar, status post lipoma removal, neck
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20006447
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no substitute has been filed within the required timeframe.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was dismissed due to a late filing.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matters for the AOJ to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ.
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