The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the thoracic spine and facial scars, finding that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or disfiguring scars. The current evaluations are considered appropriate.
The deciding factor: The medical findings did not establish unfavorable ankylosis or disfigurement of the face, which would be required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5288 and 7800 respectively.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Arthritis of the Thoracic Spine, Facial Scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 19, 2000
- Citation
- 0013267
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 0013267.
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 granted an effective date of April 30, 2020, for the award of service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and denied increased ratings for left foot cuneiform fracture, left lower extremity anterior tibial (deep peroneal) nerve impairment, and facial scars.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and remanded claims for facial scars, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for facial scars is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for painful scars is denied.
- Granted
Service connection has been granted for broken nose, facial scars, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, TBI, right ankle pain, sleep apnea as secondary to broken nose, and acquired psychiatric disability.,The Veteran's service-connected broken nose is linked to an in-service injury.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.