The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a scar, residual of pilonidal cyst surgery, claimed as a lumbar condition, as the condition preexisted service and was not aggravated during service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is no evidence of an increase in severity of the preexisting scar during service or any current disability related to the lumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- scar, residual of pilonidal cyst surgery, lumbar condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 3, 2023
- Citation
- 23000031
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 service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, considering that his service-connected orthopedic disabilities and major depressive disorder contributed substantially to his death.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for initial increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, bilateral lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, and a scar.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including lumbar condition and PTSD, with specific ratings and effective dates.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all appeals for service connection of various conditions, including lumbar condition, headaches, sinusitis, TBI, gastroenteritis, heart disease, leg cramps, PFB, nausea, skin rash on arms, feet calluses, and tinea versicolor.
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