The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for scars related to BCC, SCC, and SK was denied. A separate 20 percent rating was granted for painful scars on the scalp and left forehead.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the scars did not meet the criteria for a greater than 30 percent rating under DC 7800 due to insufficient characteristics of disfigurement, but met the criteria for a 20 percent rating under DC 7804 as there were three painful scars.
- Claimed conditions
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), Solar keratosis (SK)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 20, 2023
- Citation
- 23051713
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 23051713.
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 Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation for residuals of malignant melanoma with BCC and SCC was granted. However, the claims for compensable ratings for scars associated with these conditions were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma as secondary to actinic keratosis, which is a progression of the Veteran's service-connected dermatitis. The effective date for the grant of service connection for painful scars of the face was denied earlier than October 20, 2022.
- Partly granted
The appeal was granted for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and denied for a compensable rating of bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, with the service connection for a heart condition being dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that service connection for basal cell carcinoma is denied due to lack of a link between the condition and in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for hypertension, which may be linked to presumed Agent Orange exposure, is remanded for further development.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.