The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure of the RO to issue a supplemental statement of the case following an August 2017 VA examination.
The deciding factor: The decision was not final because the RO did not issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) after adding the results from the August 2017 VA examination to the claims file.
- Claimed conditions
- chondromalacia, left knee status post meniscectomy with instability, left knee total replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2018
- Citation
- 18149676
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 18149676.
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 service connection for right and left knee disorders was granted with an effective date of August 7, 2015.
- Partly granted
The Board granted separate ratings for a left knee meniscal tear and left knee instability, as well as a rating for left knee total replacement, but denied an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current left knee disorders.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 1, 2009 was denied as the percentage requirements for schedular entitlement were not met before that date. The effective date of TDIU is set at June 1, 2009.
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.