The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation prior to June 15, 2021, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent since that date for left ankle scars associated with left ankle total arthroplasty.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show the Veteran's left ankle scars affected the head, face, or neck, nor did it show three unstable or painful scars. The scars were superficial and linear, barely noticeable as they appeared normal skin color, and had an approximate total area of zero cm2 prior to June 15, 2021, and 11.75 cm2 since that date.
- Claimed conditions
- left ankle scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2025
- Citation
- A25031926
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 is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to August 28, 2023, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an effective date earlier than May 1, 1994, for the grant of service connection for left ankle scars and remanded several other claims related to the veteran's left ankle.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle scars, and residuals of a left ankle fracture status post-surgical repair.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this matter.
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