The Veteran's neck scar is rated at 10 percent, but a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of characteristics of disfigurement. The Veteran has been found to have painful scars warranting a separate 10 percent rating.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left and right knees are remanded as there may be an intermediate step in causing or aggravating these conditions due to obesity.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's neck scar does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7800, but she has been found to have painful scars warranting a separate 10 percent rating.,There may be an intermediate step in causing or aggravating the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left and right knees due to obesity.
- Claimed conditions
- Neck Scar, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Left Knee, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Right Knee
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2022
- Citation
- 22056885
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 22056885.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Bilateral Lower Extremity Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Sciatic Nerve), Erectile Dysfunction, and Bladder Cancer in remission. Effective dates have been set for these awards as of July 14, 2004. The Veteran's claim for higher initial disability ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding obesity as an intermediate step in causing or aggravating these conditions, and because of potential toxic exposure during service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II Diabetes Mellitus has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal before the Board could make a decision.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU with a September 19, 2024 effective date based on his PTSD, emphysema, and COPD symptoms. His diabetes, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss were not found to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 19, 2024.
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