The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected acne scars.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry, nor two or three characteristics of disfigurement as required by Diagnostic Code 7800.
- Claimed conditions
- acne scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21061869
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.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial compensable rating of 50 percent for service-connected acne, facial scarring, effective December 16, 2013.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various scars and an eye condition due to a duty to assist error and a notice error.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for migraine headaches, hemorrhoids, a respiratory disability, acne, and acne scars were dismissed due to a procedural defect.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.