The Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left chest painful scar was denied. He also had an initial rating denied for his other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, but he received separate ratings for the same condition.,Effective dates were not granted earlier than February 11, 2015, for both the increased rating of the left chest scar and service connection for the other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left chest scar was rated under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7804, which pertains to painful scars. The VA examiner found that the scar is painful but not unstable or deep enough to warrant a higher rating under DC 7804.,For his other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, the Veteran's disability was rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the period on appeal. He did not meet the criteria for any higher ratings based on the severity of his symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Left chest scar, Other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 7, 2023
- Citation
- 23008071
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 23008071.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the AOJ's handling of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, and depression. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtain medical opinions regarding the diagnoses and their relation to service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's motion to reverse the March 2013 rating decision that denied service connection for PTSD was denied. A rating of 50 percent, and no higher, for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is granted effective December 29, 2022.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, is related to her active duty service. This benefit sought on appeal is granted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for TDIU and granted a 50 percent disability rating for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The Veteran's symptoms include flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, panic attacks more than once a week, impairment of memory, impaired judgment, difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships, and sleep impairment.
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