Citation Nr: 21014717 Decision Date: 03/15/21 Archive Date: 03/15/21 DOCKET NO. 17-46 688 DATE: March 15, 2021 ORDER Service connection for a scar on the right thigh is granted. Service connection for a skin condition also is granted. FINDING OF FACT The Veteran’s right thigh scar and skin condition are as likely as not related or attributable to his active military service. CONCLUSION OF LAW Resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor, the criteria are met for entitlement to service connection for the scar of his right thigh and skin condition. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303.   REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran had active military service from February 1956 to February 1959. His military personnel records indicate he also attended the U. S. Coast Guard Academy prior to his active service, and that he had additional service in the U. S. Marine Reserve. Service Connection Service connection may be granted for disability resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service in the line of duty. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. The three-element test for service connection requires evidence of: (1) a current disability; (2) in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or an injury; and (3) a causal relationship (“nexus”) between the current disability and the disease or injury in service. Shedden v. Principi, 381 F.3d 1163, 1166-67 (Fed. Cir. 2004). 1. Service connection for a scar on the right thigh is granted. The Board finds that service connection for this scar is warranted. The records concerning the Veteran’s service reflect that he re-injured his right knee while a cadet at the U. S. Coast Guard Academy in 1950. Although he had first injured his right femur while in high school, in November 1949, in his first year as a cadet he developed progressive pain and tenderness at the injury site that necessitated surgery in 1951. His service treatment records (STRs) for his period of active service in the Marines note the surgical scar and history of his surgery related to his 1950 reinjury. He testified during his recent hearing before this Board that his surgical scar continues to be symptomatic – including in physical activity he must do just to maintain his general health. Also, during his hearing, he showed a basketball picture from years ago evidencing a wrap on his right leg, and he showed another picture of his right thigh where the scar is located indicating how visible it is and how some muscle (that was “jammed up”) was removed. Given that his service records document a reinjury of his right femur while he was a cadet at the U. S. Coast Guard Academy, and thus was serving on active duty pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 3.6(b)(4), and because there is credible evidence that since his service he has continued to suffer from residual symptoms referable to his resultant surgical scar, the Board finds that the elements of service connection have been met. There is proof of an in-service injury, continuity of symptoms, and credible lay testimony establishing the required nexus between the current symptoms and his service. This lay testimony is bolstered by the STRs clearly showing the chronology of injury while in service. Therefore, service connection for the surgical scar on the right thigh is granted. 2. Service connection for a skin condition also is granted. The Board additionally finds that service connection is warranted also for this claimed skin condition. The STRs show that, in October 1957, the Veteran was treated for dermatitis of the crural area owing to sulfur therapy used to treat moniliasis. He testified during his hearing that, since service, he has experienced recurrent itchiness and rash in the same area of his groin that he usually treats with over-the-counter medication.   Given that his STRs document this condition during his service, and that he has provided credible and consistent testimony of experiencing the same associated symptoms ever since his service, the Board finds that service connection for his skin condition is warranted when resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor concerning the origins of this condition. KEITH W. ALLEN Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board R. Erdheim The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.