The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings of 10 percent for residual burn scars of the right forearm and left hand, as well as service connection for various conditions including tumors, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder, hypertension, shoulder disability, neck disability, LPR, respiratory disorder, and skin disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's disabilities had worsened prior to March 7, 2016, or that they met the criteria for an earlier effective date based on a change in severity of his service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- residual burn scars of the right forearm, residual burn scars of the left hand
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20034741
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20034741.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
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