The Veteran's mid abdominal scar is not rated as compensable, and the Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for left knee disability is denied because there is no evidence showing it began during service or is related to an in-service injury. The Veteran has a right knee disability which may be considered secondary to his left knee disability, but this issue is not addressed as the right knee disability is not service-connected.,The Board finds that hypertension does not have sufficient evidence of association with herbicide exposure and thus cannot be presumed due to such exposure. However, VA examination/medical opinion is required to determine if it is related to any other incident in service or otherwise.,Service connection for colon cancer is denied because there are no records showing the condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's mid abdominal scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802, as it is not manifest by an area of 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or greater.,There is no evidence showing that the current left knee disability began during service or is related to any in-service injury. The Veteran's reported history of joint pain does not indicate a connection to active service, and there are no records indicating such a relationship.,The Board finds that hypertension cannot be presumed due to herbicide exposure as it is not listed among the presumptive conditions for such exposure. However, VA examination/medical opinion is required to determine if it is related to any other incident in service or otherwise.,There is no evidence showing that the Veteran's colon cancer began during service or is related to an in-service injury.
- Claimed conditions
- mid abdominal scar, left knee disability, hypertension, colon cancer
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 22, 2019
- Citation
- A19002177
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,084 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A19002177.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.