The Board found that the Veteran's left knee scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under any applicable VA rating criteria, and thus denied his claim.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show disabling effects from the left knee scars or underlying soft tissue damage associated with them, and their superficial nature precluded higher ratings based on area covered.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2026
- Citation
- A26035053
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 A26035053.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. Other conditions had their ratings denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as a compensable evaluation for left knee scars.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including left and right elbow disabilities, left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis and meniscal tear, right foot callus, and right knee instability. The decision also restored the 10 percent rating for left knee instability and right elbow radial head fracture.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for painful left knee scars and a 20 percent rating for the left knee disability based on dislocation of semilunar cartilage, but denied a compensable rating for left knee scars based on disfigurement. The right knee claim was remanded.
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.