The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his service-connected back scar. The Board found that the evidence did not support assigning an earlier effective date or a higher initial rating.
The deciding factor: The weight of the evidence showed that the increase in disability occurred immediately or shortly after a 2016 surgery, and there was no intent to file a claim for service connection for the back scar within one year prior to November 8, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- Back Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2024
- Citation
- A24085151
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 A24085151.
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: Partly granted
The Board denied an increased rating for atrial flutter and granted service connection for a back scar, but remanded the claim for a skin condition manifested as lipomas.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine disability, left sciatic nerve disability, and back scar.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD prior to May 16, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran’s claim for a compensable rating for his back scar is remanded.,The Veteran’s claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine with chronic lumbar strain is also remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left palm scar and back scar have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under VA's disability evaluation criteria.
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