The Board has remanded the cases due to an inadequate VA examination and improper consideration of the governing regulations. The Veteran's knee disabilities are being evaluated again with a focus on flare-ups and functional loss.
The deciding factor: The reduction in ratings was based on an inadequate examination that did not consider the Veteran’s reported flare-ups and resulting functional limitation.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Status Postoperative Arthroscopic Surgery with Chondromalacia and Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18152185
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 18152185.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to inadequate examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease resulted in functional loss due to pain, instability, and required the use of a walker. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for this condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 0 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU from July 27, 2007.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee instability is granted a separate 10 percent rating effective July 25, 2010. The claim for PTSD and the right knee conditions are denied.
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