The Veteran's right knee scars are not associated with underlying soft tissue damage and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,There is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran’s low back disorder or left knee disorder are related to service. The Veteran should be provided another opportunity for an examination.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with depression, which may be related to his in-service motorcycle accident. A VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.,VA examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee arthritis and instability.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show underlying soft tissue damage associated with the Veteran’s right knee scars, which prevents them from meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 7801-7805.,There is insufficient medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's low back or left knee disorders are related to service. The Veteran should be provided another opportunity for an examination.,The Veteran has reported symptoms of depression that may be related to his in-service motorcycle accident, and a VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.,VA examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee arthritis and instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right knee scars, Low back disorder, Left knee disorder, Acquired psychiatric disorder (depression)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20033898
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 20033898.
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 Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not show an in-service onset or relationship to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee scars are rated at a separate 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804 throughout the entire period on appeal, but no higher. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the service-connected right knee scars under Diagnostic Code 7805.
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