The veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied. The RO granted a 20 percent rating for post-operative residuals of a herniated disc, L5-S1, effective from the date of receipt of the claim in June 1996.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the veteran had problems sitting, standing, lifting, twisting, and sleeping due to his back problem. The current record did not show any focal disc protrusion on a CT scan performed in November 1997.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-operative residuals of a herniated disc, L5-S1, Residuals of a fractured right mandible, Disfiguring scars of the right mandible and chin, Scar of the right mandible with retained foreign body, Scar on the left side of the chest with retained foreign body, Left sciatic nerve disturbance, Right thigh scar, Muscle injury of the right arm, Muscle injury of the left biceps muscle, Muscle injury of the left forearm, Muscle injury of the abdomen, Residuals of a laceration of the liver
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 15, 2005
- Citation
- 0522131
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0522131.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right thigh scar, including a postoperative staphylococcal infection. The AOJ is instructed to obtain service treatment records from September 2006 to August 2007 and provide an addendum medical opinion.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for a right thigh scar, service connection for hearing loss, sebaceous cyst, cold exposure residuals and a right thigh injury have been dismissed. Service connection for capillary hemangioma, right knee disorder and urinary disorder are denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected back, knee, and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations addressing the nature and severity of these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right thigh scar from June 2, 2009 is granted. The Veteran's increased rating in excess of 50 percent for TBI with PTSD from June 2, 2009 to February 2, 2017 is denied. A 70% rating for TBI with PTSD from March 1, 2017 to February 16, 2020 and a 100% rating thereafter is granted. SMC (t) from February 17, 2020 onward is granted. Service connection for right eye residuals of PRK surgery diagnosed as halos and dryness and service connection for diplopia and light sensitivity secondary to service-connected TBI are also granted.
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