Service connection for an appendectomy scar is granted.,Service connection for a left elbow disability is denied. The Veteran's current treatment records are silent for a diagnosis of or treatment for a left elbow disability.,The Veteran’s solar dermatitis claim is remanded to determine if the condition has manifested at any time on or after November 13, 2017 and whether there is a medical nexus between an in-service incurrence and current diagnosis.
The deciding factor: The weight of the evidence clearly and unmistakably shows that the Veteran’s appendectomy scar preexisted service. The abnormal findings at service separation suggest a worsening of the disability, but the evidence does not show that the worsening was clearly and unmistakably due to the natural progression of the disability.,The weight of the evidence indicates that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a left elbow disability as there is no current diagnosis or treatment records indicating such a condition. The examiner opined that the Veteran’s claimed condition did not limit his ability to work and was distinguishable from diagnosing an underlying disability.,There is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran has a current diagnosis of solar dermatitis, whether it manifested at any time on or after November 13, 2017, and whether there is a medical nexus between an in-service incurrence and current diagnosis.
- Claimed conditions
- appendectomy scar, left elbow disability, solar dermatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20078308
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 20078308.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
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