The Board denied service connection for facial scars, finding clear and unmistakable evidence that the scars preexisted service and were not aggravated during service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation by service-connected IBS or adjustment disorder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's facial scars were caused by an accident during childhood and are considered to be a pre-existing condition, which is not subject to service connection under the presumption of soundness. There was no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service, and there was no evidence that the scars were aggravated by his service-connected IBS or adjustment disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Facial scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 24, 2022
- Citation
- 22030668
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 22030668.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for acne and facial scars, finding that the Veteran did not meet his burden of showing an in-service aggravation of preexisting conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of facial scars to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's skin disorder, including considering his in-service skin complaints and treatment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in that the AOJ failed to obtain service treatment records.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's effective date for service connection of PTSD is granted as May 29, 2006, but no earlier. The claims for service connection for digestive disorder, eating disorder, acne, facial scars, and depression are remanded.
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