The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for her TMJ and laparotomy scar, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show any additional impairment warranting a higher rating than the currently assigned 20 percent for TMJ or noncompensable for the laparotomy scar.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular joint syndrome, Laparotomy scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 15, 2000
- Citation
- 0006975
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0006975.
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 claim for TMJ was reopened and granted, with the condition having begun during service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea was also granted as secondary to her service-connected rhinitis and sinusitis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his TMJ syndrome was denied as the evidence did not show inter-incisal range of motion less than or equal to 10 mm, which is required for a rating in excess of 30 percent.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were granted service connection as they are related to her active duty service.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatica was granted as it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and providing a new opinion regarding the impact of service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's employability prior to September 10, 2010.
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