The appeal regarding the proposed reduction in the evaluation for painful scars was dismissed as it is not an appealable decision.
The deciding factor: The proposed rating reduction is not a final decision and cannot be appealed until a final rating decision is issued.
- Claimed conditions
- painful scars
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2025
- Citation
- A25039346
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral), posterior trunk scars, and painful scars. However, it granted a rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability from August 30, 2022, an earlier effective date of April 10, 2019, for service connection for painful trunk scars, and an earlier effective date of November 9, 2020, for TDIU and DEA.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of November 20, 2012, and no earlier, for the grant of eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 USC chapter 35 but denied earlier effective dates for service connection claims and increased ratings.
- Granted
The Board granted the veteran's appeal and reinstated a 10 percent disability rating for painful scars effective July 22, 2022, due to improper reduction of the rating.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for higher ratings and service connection, resulting in their dismissal.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.