The VA denied an initial compensable disability rating for the appellant's right shoulder scars, as the evidence did not show that the area of the scars met or more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7802.
The deciding factor: The March 2025 VA Scars DBQ indicated that the appellant's right shoulder scars were not associated with underlying soft tissue damage and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7802 or DC 7804.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Shoulder Scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2026
- Citation
- A26040341
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26040341.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder scars were granted service connection effective November 4, 2013. However, the claim for a compensable rating was denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability and associated scars were granted effective May 31, 2017. However, the initial rating for OSA with asthma remains denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's request for a higher rating for her service-connected right shoulder disability and an initial noncompensable rating for her service-connected right shoulder scars was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or separate compensable ratings.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, as well as a TDIU.
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