The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected left knee scar is granted, but no higher than 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether she experiences one painful residual scar from her service-connected left knee ACL repair.,The Veteran’s claim of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), other than migraines and psychiatric disability, is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board also found that the Veteran's neuroma involving the left saphenous nerve requires further examination.
The deciding factor: The decision on the scar rating was based on the Veteran’s reports of pain in her service-connected scar, which were corroborated by a previous surgery.
- Claimed conditions
- Residual scar from left knee ACL repair, Traumatic brain injury residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19191968
Veterans Law Judge
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 19191968.
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 Board has denied service connection for traumatic brain injury residuals and obstructive sleep apnea, but has remanded the claim for lumbosacral strain due to insufficient evidence.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for traumatic brain injury residuals, including residual scars, as these conditions are found to have originated during active service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since November 6, 2018. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury residuals and migraine headaches. The remaining issues of service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.
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