The Veteran's initial claim of a higher rating for his service-connected disfiguring scar on the left ear lobe was granted with an initial 30 percent rating from October 8, 2021. The right shoulder and left forearm scars were denied as not compensable.,Prior to October 8, 2021, the Veteran's disfiguring scar on the left ear lobe warranted a 30 percent rating based on two characteristics of disfigurement. From October 8, 2021, his scar warrants a 50 percent rating as it no longer meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disfiguring scar on the left ear lobe met the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating from October 8, 2021 due to additional characteristics of disfigurement.
- Claimed conditions
- Disfiguring scar on the left ear lobe, Right shoulder scar, Left forearm scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2022
- Citation
- 22015956
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 22015956.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as they were received more than one year after her intent to file a claim, and no good cause extension was requested.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The Veteran's TDIU claim from July 1, 2011 is also granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the veteran's claims for a higher rating and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to concerns regarding the qualifications of the VA examiner.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder arthritis, left and right shoulder instability, and a right shoulder scar disabilities but granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for right shoulder instability.
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