The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of disfigurement or other criteria warranting a compensable rating for scars on the neck, and denied his claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right acromioclavicular joint prior to May 12, 2011 and since that date. Service connection was also denied for cervical spine disorder and right hip disorder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's scars did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on disfigurement. The Board found no evidence of other disabling conditions warranting increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis, nor could service connection be established for his cervical spine or right hip disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- Scars on neck and right leg, Degenerative arthritis of the right acromioclavicular joint (prior to May 12, 2011), Degenerative arthritis of the right acromioclavicular joint (since May 12, 2011), Cervical spine disorder, Right hip disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2012
- Citation
- 1237131
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1237131.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder due to incomplete information. The Veteran needs to provide his complete service personnel records, verify his alleged combat experience in Vietnam, and undergo VA examinations for both conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the initial ratings assigned for psoriatic arthritis of the upper and lower extremities, as well as service connection for a cervical spine disorder, need to be remanded due to incomplete evidence. The Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ADT) and inactive duty for training (IDT) must be confirmed, and all relevant medical records should be obtained.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting an effective date of January 8, 2014 for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.
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