The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral knee disability, including right and left knee degenerative joint disease and right knee internal derangement. The examiner must consider the Veteran's in-service issues with his knees despite their absence from service records, as well as the potential relationship between the knee conditions and his service-connected back condition.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the April 2015 VA medical opinion was inadequate for evaluation purposes and did not comply with its prior remand orders regarding the nature of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders and their etiology, as well as the potential secondary relationship to a service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, right knee internal derangement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2016
- Citation
- 1643485
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1643485.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU is granted, but his special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is denied due to the presence of additional service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a separate compensable evaluation for right knee instability, with a 20 percent rating throughout the appeal period. The initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to March 26, 2024, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for right knee internal derangement was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating greater than 10 percent for right knee internal derangement, chondromalacia, and degenerative arthritis with painful motion, denied a compensable rating for the same condition with limited extension, but granted a 10 percent rating for right lateral knee instability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a right knee disability, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, due to an inadequate VA examination and duty-to-assist errors.
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