The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left lower leg scar was rated at 10 percent prior to February 4, 2021 and at 20 percent thereafter.,TDIU was denied as the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a combined disability rating of 70 percent due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher rating for the left lower leg scar prior to February 4, 2021 or after that date. The Veteran only had one painful scar and it was not unstable.,TDIU was denied because the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a combined disability rating of 70 percent due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Left lower leg scar, Left knee instability, Left knee arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2021
- Citation
- 21074912
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 21074912.
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 Board has granted effective dates of June 17, 2010 for service connection and separate ratings for right knee instability and left knee instability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, including back disability, tinea pedis and tinea unguium, right foot degenerative changes, left hip disability, left knee arthritis, and psychiatric disabilities. The Board also found that the bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is secondary to his back disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis. The claims for PTSD and radiculopathy are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not properly before it due to procedural errors and remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.
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