The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied as there was no evidence of an area or areas of 144 square inches (929 sq. cm.) or greater for the left knee scar, and his other conditions did not meet the criteria for increased disability ratings.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence showed that the Veteran's left knee scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7802, as it was less than 39 square centimeters or 6 square inches in area and not painful, unstable, or having an area equal to or greater than 39 square centimeters or 6 square inches.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Scar, Impairment of Left Knee - Tibia and Fibula, Limitation of Flexion of Left Knee, Limitation of Extension of Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2020
- Citation
- A20016892
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 A20016892.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent for the total knee replacement and a 10 percent rating for the scar. The appeal was granted on both issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and found that the Veteran's left knee scar is not compensable. The decision supports the opinion from a private physician who concluded that the OSA was secondary to his service-connected GERD and psychiatric disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to untimely filings. The Board has also remanded several issues related to her left knee disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities, collectively warranted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from July 7, 2022 to October 9, 2023.
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