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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 23008071.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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