The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's left shoulder surgical scar, finding that it did not meet the criteria under Diagnostic Codes 7802, 7801, or 7805.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left shoulder surgical scar was found to be superficial and not associated with underlying soft tissue damage, thus not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder surgical scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23048795
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 23048795.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted a 30% disability rating for tension headaches and remanded claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for right rotator cuff tendonitis from April 16, 1999 to August 13, 2012 and denied a higher rating for the left shoulder surgical scar during the same period.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including those for increased ratings and earlier effective dates. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability and surgical scar, as well as temporary total evaluations related to his shoulder surgeries. The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty-to-assist obligations.
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