The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for abdominal scars resulting from a cholecystectomy, as the evidence did not show that the scars met the criteria for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the Veteran had one to three non-painful and stable abdominal scars with an area of less than 929 square centimeters, which did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7802 or 7804.
- Claimed conditions
- abdominal scars, status post cholecystectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 14, 2025
- Citation
- A25043144
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for abdominal scars and kidney cancer residuals but granted a separate 30 percent rating for the left nephrectomy due to kidney cancer.
- Denied
The Board denied compensation for additional disability due to treatment at a VA medical facility in September 2022, as the proximate cause of the gallbladder and liver injuries was not due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or an event not reasonably foreseeable.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for abdominal scars as they are not deep, do not have an area of at least 39 square centimeters, are not unstable or painful, and do not result in any disabling effects.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for ventral hernia and remanded claims for service connection for depression, increased rating for panulcerative colitis with resection of large intestines, and a compensable rating for abdominal scars.
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