The Veteran's right knee disabilities, including limitation of extension and excision with arthritis, are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The issues of increased ratings for left knee instability and flexion limitation, and service connection for low back strain, are remanded.,VA is required to provide a VA medical examination if there is (1) competent evidence of a current disability or persistent / recurrent symptoms of a disability; (2) evidence establishing that an event, injury, or disease occurred in service; and (3) an indication that the disability or persistent / recurrent symptoms of a disability may be associated with the Veteran’s service. A new VA examination is needed for the low back condition.
The deciding factor: The prior examinations did not adequately address the current severity of the Veteran's disabilities, particularly his low back condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Limitation of Extension, Right Knee Excision of Meniscal Cyst with Later Meniscus with Arthritis, Left Knee Instability, Left Knee Flexion Limitation, Low Back Strain with Degenerative Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 13, 2018
- Citation
- 18118554
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 18118554.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated and denied for increased ratings, with some conditions receiving specific disability ratings. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for her total right knee replacement from September 4, 2015 onwards, but the other claims are denied.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will consider all submitted evidence, including any new evidence provided by the Veteran.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 40 percent for limitation of extension, effective December 18, 2025. The Veteran also received separate ratings for instability and dislocation of semilunar cartilage.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee flexion limitation, and instability of the left knee are all rated at their maximum allowable under VA regulations. The right knee scar is not compensable. The Board has remanded for further examination to determine the severity of these conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
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