The Board denied the Veteran's earlier effective date claim for his left eye scar, as August 29, 2011 is considered the earliest available effective date.,The reduction of the Veteran's left knee rating from 50% to 30% was found proper based on improvement in his condition since October 27, 2016 when he underwent total knee replacement.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date for the left eye scar prior to August 29, 2011.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Eye Scar, Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease Post Total Knee Arthroplasty
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2022
- Citation
- 22010235
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 22010235.
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 a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left eye scar from February 28, 2012. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his left knee, left ankle, and right shoulder disabilities. Additionally, a medical opinion is needed regarding the impact of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to obtain and maintain employment.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 8, 2014.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's left eye scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes, as it is one inch in length and well-healed without associated tissue loss or disfigurement.
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