Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 20 percent disability rating for a tender scar below naval was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence within one year prior to September 24, 2013 indicating an increase in severity.,The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for her lower back disability was denied. The Board determined that the current level of disability does not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria set forth in the Rating Schedule.

The deciding factor: There is no evidence within one year prior to September 24, 2013 indicating an increase in severity for the tender scar below naval. The Veteran's lower back disability has been rated as 40 percent disabling since September 20, 2010.

Claimed conditions
Tender Scar Below Naval, Lower Back Disability (including degenerative joint disease), Right Ankle Sprain
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
March 9, 2018
Citation
1814852

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 1814852.

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.

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.