The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for a right ankle scar, as it was found that the scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right ankle scar covered an area of 2 square centimeters and showed no instability or pain, which did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- right ankle scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2025
- Citation
- A25039080
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal as to the proposed rating reduction of right ankle arthritis was dismissed, and an initial disability rating higher than 10% for right ankle scar was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left restless leg syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right ankle disability, right ankle scar, and hypertension. The Board also remanded several claims for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board denied higher initial ratings for left and right achilles tendon ruptures, bilateral hearing loss, and right ankle scar but granted a 10 percent rating for painful right ankle scar and service connection for adjustment disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for various conditions, due to a failure to provide notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing.
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