The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee associated with postoperative residuals of left knee patellectomy is being remanded due to potential pyramiding under different diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The RO utilized Diagnostic Codes 5257 and 5003 in conjunction, which may constitute pyramiding as Code 5257 has already been applied for postoperative residuals of left knee patellectomy.
- Claimed conditions
- osteoarthritis of the left knee, postoperative residuals of left knee patellectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 18, 2006
- Citation
- 0620845
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 0620845.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted restoration of a 40% rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee, effective July 1, 2009, and denied an increased rating in excess of 40% for the same condition as well as entitlement to TDIU.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine herniated nucleus pulposus L3-4 with intervertebral disc syndrome, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the appeal for further development, including a new examination to address issues related to the Veteran's left knee disability.
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