Entitlement to revision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) of a June 7, 1972, rating decision that assigned an initial noncompensable rating for left anterior chest scar under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7805,…

Board reasoning

The Board reviewed a June 7, 1972 rating decision and subsequent related decisions, concluding that the AOJ did not err in evaluating the left chest scar under a scar code because the record showed a scar with no additional muscle injury symptoms. It also found that evidence at the time supported that anxiety neurosis preexisted service, so the presumption of soundness error was not outcome-determinative. Regarding the PTSD effective date issue, the Board found that even with March 1983 service records, the prior findings of preexisting psychiatric disability and in-service manifestations meant the outcome would not change, and thus CUE was not established. In sum, the prior final decisions were not shown to contain CUE that would alter the denial as to initial scar rating, preexisting psychiatric condition, or PTSD effective date.